Hezbollah has changed its role from purely political in combating Israel occupation, to rather social in arguing for the rights of workers in Beirut. Despite an increase by the Lebanese Cabinet from $200 to $330 a month, workers are still unhappy with the surge in light of the rising food prices. Through an alliance between Labor union members and anti-government Hezbollah supporters, all activity in Beirut was dedicated to avoiding the chaos in the streets. After rising violence, the General Labor Confederation managed to call off and reschedule the strike.
Relating Hezbollah supporters to gangs, Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani, Lebanon’s highest Sunni spiritual authority said the following “"This strike is turning into a [civil] disobedience and an invasion to the streets of Beirut, carried out by militant gangs.” Lebanon has faced enduring struggles between the Shiite and Sunni factions, manifested in sectarian violence that has now taken on a political undertone.
The country is currently in political limbo after Lebanese President Emil Lahoud resigned from his position without a successor. Instead, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has been leading the country. With the backing of the US, the Prime Minister sets the scene for hostility between the Iran and Syria backed Hezbollah political organization, which is currently manifesting itself in the current wage protests.
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