BEIRUT, January 23 2007: Walking the streets of Beirut in the midst of Hezbollah’s general strike was relatively easy, but the situation remained tense and volatile. The young demonstrators in charge of the barricades kept them smoldering, while the crowds behind them mingled about and discussed the latest news, seemingly oblivious to the clouds of black smoke and the carcinogenic stench of burning tires.

    For the first time the opposition’s campaign against the government turned violent, and the news that three people were killed in Northern Lebanon fueled animosity on the streets of the capital. Two of the victims belonged to the opposition, while one was affiliated to the forces of the right-wing Christian leader Samir Geagea.