BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 14 (UPI) -- Divisions among Lebanese over Iran, Hezbollah and state authority have intensified amid Israel's destructive war on the country, fueling distrust, suspicion, hatred and accusations of treason while heightening fears of sectarian violence -- or worse, another civil war.
Such strong sentiments have so far remained largely confined to social media, where an intense war of words between Hezbollah's supporters and opponents has reached an unprecedented level, with only limited incidents on the ground that have been quickly contained by security forces.
The increased tension reflects mounting discontent and growing rejection among many Lebanese of Hezbollah's influence over the country and its role in dragging it into pointless wars they neither want nor consider to be in Lebanon's interest.
Hezbollah's supporters, meanwhile, have become more defiant in displaying their group's power and allegiance to Iran, refusing to surrender their weapons or submit fully to state authority.
It was, in fact, a struggle that has been developing over the past years between those who want Lebanon to be governed solely by the state, with the exclusive authority over decisions of war and peace and protection provided by the army, and those who strongly support Hezbollah and Iran, viewing them as essential for their security against Israeli threats.
