Hizbullah gunmen on Friday reportedly seized control of Western Beirut after gunmen forced the state-run television off the air and took over a number of government offices.

According to the pro-Western Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, “the government is being held at the end of the barrel of a gun”.

Gunmen targeted the compound of Sa’ad Hariri, the son of the slain former Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri, who was targeted in a 2005 car bomb attack. The TV station that was overrun is owned by the Hariri family, a strong supporter of the government’s pro-Western Sunni-led government.

Lebanese media reports on Friday morning reported at least 11 dead and over 40 wounded.

Israeli officials are carefully monitoring events as the terror organization continues spreading its dominance in Lebanon. Today’s events are a major blow to the democratically elected government, strengthening Hizbullah and Syrian interests in Lebanon.

UPDATE 10:30AM EST: Lebanese sources are reporting that Hizbullah gunmen have seized portions of Lebanon’s Muslim sector from the Sunnis, who are backed by the United States.

Prime Minister Fuad Siniora was holed up in his office as Islamic fundamentalists aligned with Hizbullah maintain control.

Responding to the dramatic events, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stated that the matter is an internal matter and he hopes a solution will be forthcoming soon.

In the meantime, Saudi Arabia is calling for an urgent meeting of Arab nations in light of the events unfolding in Lebanon which could lead to a total collapse of the government and the Hizbullah-backed Shiite forces taking control.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)