Normalverkehr

Lebanon’s cabinet was expected on Wednesday to cancel measures it took against Hezbollah that triggered fighting during which the Iranian-backed movement briefly took over parts of Beirut, political sources said.

“You can say it’s a done deal, but we’re waiting for the cabinet meeting,” one political source said. Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, who is supported by the United States, was due to hold a cabinet meeting at 1530 GMT.

Rescinding a ban on Hezbollah’s communications network and the sacking of Beirut airport’s security chief, who is close to the group, is one of Hezbollah’s demands to lift its blockade of the airport and its campaign of civil disobedience.

It would also be a first step towards easing a broader 18-month-long standoff between the anti-Syrian cabinet and opposition forces backed by Damascus that has left Lebanon without a president since November.

At least 81 people have been killed since violence broke out on May 7 following the cabinet decisions against Hezbollah. The clashes were the worst spate of violence among Lebanese since the country’s 1975-90 civil war.