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Ramon: 'Lebanon has no gov't' By Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies , By Yoav Stern Israel's vice premier Haim Ramon told cabinet members Sunday that Lebanon must be viewed as a "Hezbollah state," after the Shi'ite guerilla group seized control of the western part of the Lebanese capital over the weekend. "Lebanon has no government. It is a fiction, there is only Hezbollah," Ramon said during the weekly cabinet meeting. At least 46 people have been killed in clashes between Hezbollah and pro-government fighters over the last five days. Advertisement Also during the meeting, Military Intelligence Chief Amos Yadlin said Lebanon had been embroiled in a political crisis since former Lebanese president Emile Lahoud completed his term and stepped down, last November. Yadlin said there is a consensus that army commander General Michel Suleiman should become the new president, but said that Hezbollah's intentions "go far beyond the selection of a president. They want to restore the balance of power in Lebanon to what it was before the anti-Syrian revolution." Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai told Army Radio Sunday that Israel was prepared for the possibility that the situation in Lebanon would deteriorate into another civil war. Former IDF chief of staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak said Sunday that Hezbollah's persistent attempts to take over Lebanon could eventually benefit Israel in its struggle against the militant group. "If an armed conflict erupts, it will be simpler to strike Lebanon when Hezbollah is the legitimate ruler," Shahak told Army Radio. Meanwhile Sunday, a Lebanese security official reported that Israel Air Force warplanes violated Lebanon's airspace and flew over the southern part of the country. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Death of a heroine Irena Sendler, who saved 2,500 Jews during the Holocaust, dies at 98. Apocalyptic tidings Holy See warns of nightmarish perils if Mideast nuclear arms race is not halted.

Read & React Israel on alert as clashes rage across Lebanon for sixth day Responses: 277 Olmert to Egypt: No Gaza truce if Shalit is not released Responses: 127 Lieberman: I'd join Netanyahu gov't if I received defense post Responses: 69 Akiva Eldar: If Bush was really Israel's friend, he'd stay home Responses: 89 Haaretz TV: Religious homosexuals contend with self-hatred and Haredi condemnation Responses: 85 More Headlines 02:57 Bush to Haaretz: Peace process not contingent on one man 01:45 Police search J'lem municipality for evidence PM received bribes 02:44 Lebanese army says will use force from Tues. to stop fighting 02:45 ANALYSIS / In Lebanon, the new reality has taken over 20:31 Bush: Olmert is an honest man; our relationship is 'excellent' 02:02 J'lem bracing for gridlock during Peres presidential conference 22:07 U.S. think-tank aims to infuse Jewish life with dashes of color 23:50 Woman killed as rocket directly hits Negev home 21:24 Olmert to Egypt: No Gaza truce if Shalit is not released 00:14 Actor Jon Voight visits Israeli victims of Palestinian attacks during Jerusalem trip 23:42 U.S. victims of terror in Israel sue Swiss bank for ties with Iran 21:36 11 J'lem teens suspected of racially motivated assault against Arabs Previous Editions Select Day 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr

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