Government gives army free hand in eastern Bekaa

The Lebanese cabinet on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for the army to take full control over eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, where a Shiite Muslim cleric has been leading a "hunger revolt" and challenging government authority.

Newspaper reports had anticipated a declaration of the Bekaa a "military zone" by the Cabinet. But Information Minister Bassem Sabei, who announced Cabinet's decision Wednesday, said this was a step short of a military zone. He added, however, that the government would not tolerate the continued challenge of its authority by the radical Sheik and his followers.

Sheikh Sobhi Toufeili, former secretary-general of the Hizbullah guerrilla group, has been leading a "hunger revolt" since July 4. He has called on his supporters to stop paying utility bills until the authorities responded to his demands to improve living conditions in the impoverished region.

Among his demands are free health care and schooling for the area, in addition to the implementation of development projects.

The confrontation between Toufeili and the government escalated this week when the Sheikh urged his supporters to block roads and prevent members of parliament and cabinet ministers from visiting the Bekaa. On more than one occasions, Toufeili supporters carried out orders, burning tires and blocking roads in front of the officials.

Toufeili later agreed to allow some representatives to enter the region, albeit only those known to support his movement.

Heavy army reinforcements were sent to the Bekaa as of July. Last month, army troops in the carried out a surprise raid on the Baalbek-Hermel region and arrested several fugitives.

On Tuesday, a Toufeili supporter wanted on charges of drug-trafficking was killed after police opened fire on his car near Baalbek.

Security sources said Sobhi Ataya was killed after he refused to heed calls by the police to stop his car. Police opened fire on the vehicle, which hit a lamp post, killing the driver.