Lebanese army starts drive to end armed presence

Lebanon's army began taking steps on Tuesday to stop gunmen and groups from illegally carrying arms and to end -- by force if necessary -- a week of fighting between Hizbullah fighters and pro-government gunmen.

Hezbollah, the Shiite Muslim movement backed by Iran and Syria, and its opposition allies have routed supporters of the Sunni-led government in Beirut and hills to the east, in fighting that has pushed Lebanon to the brink of a new civil war. (Reuters)