A blindfolded pro-government detainee begs Hezbollah gunmen for mercy in west Beirut on May 9, 2008. Hezbollah fighters, their guns blazing, seized control of west Beirut after three days of street battles with pro-government foes pushed Lebanon dangerously close to all-out civil war. The sectarian fighting had eased by early afternoon and the army and police moved across areas now in the hands of Iranian-backed Shiite opposition forces who routed Sunni militants loyal to the Western-backed government. Getty Images logo Getty Images 18 months ago

A blindfolded pro-government detainee begs Hezbollah gunmen for mercy in west Beirut on May 9, 2008. Hezbollah fighters, their guns blazing, seized control of west Beirut after three days of street battles with pro-government foes pushed Lebanon dangerously close to all-out civil war. The sectarian fighting had eased by early afternoon and the army and police moved across areas now in the hands of Iranian-backed Shiite opposition forces who routed Sunni militants loyal to the Western-backed government.

More Photos of

Explore Photos of Related Topics

  1. JERUSALEM - NOVEMBER 15: Wearing protective suits, Israeli police evacuate the 'victim' of a chemical warfare terror attack at a shopping mall during a training exercise on November 15, 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel. With the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatening that all of the Jewish State is in range of its missiles, and the Islamic group Hamas in Gaza test-firing missiles that can reach as far as Tel Aviv, Israeli security forces all over the country have held recently civil defence exercises with both mass casualty and chemical warfare scenarios.
  2. JERUSALEM - NOVEMBER 15: An ultra-Orthodox Jew plays the role of a fatality of a chemical warfare terror attack in the food court of a shopping mall during a training exercise on November 15, 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel. With the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatening that all of the Jewish State is in range of its missiles, and the Islamic group Hamas in Gaza test-firing missiles that can reach as far as Tel Aviv, Israeli security forces all over the country have held recently civil defence exercises with both mass casualty and chemical warfare scenarios.
  3. JERUSALEM - NOVEMBER 15: Israeli rescue workers rush to wear their DuPont protective suits on arrival at a shopping mall at the start of a training exercise simulating a chemical warfare terror attack in the mall's food court on November 15, 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel. With the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatening that all of the Jewish State is in range of its missiles, and the Islamic group Hamas in Gaza test-firing missiles that can reach as far as Tel Aviv, Israeli security forces all over the country have held recently civil defence exercises with both mass casualty and chemical warfare scenarios.
  4. JERUSALEM - NOVEMBER 15: An Israeli rescue worker wears a DuPont protective suit as she deploys outside a shopping mall during a training exercise simulating a chemical warfare terror attack in the mall's food court on November 15, 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel. With the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatening that all of the Jewish State is in range of its missiles, and the Islamic group Hamas in Gaza test-firing missiles that can reach as far as Tel Aviv, Israeli security forces all over the country have held recently civil defence exercises with both mass casualty and chemical warfare scenarios.
  5. JERUSALEM - NOVEMBER 15: Wearing a protecive suit, an Israeli fireman looks for signs of life in an ultra-Orthodox Jew who plays the roles of a fatality of a chemical warfare terror attack in the food court of a shopping mall during a training exercise on November 15, 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel. With the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatening that all of the Jewish State is in range of its missiles, and the Islamic group Hamas in Gaza test-firing missiles that can reach as far as Tel Aviv, Israeli security forces all over the country have held recently civil defence exercises with both mass casualty and chemical warfare scenarios.
  6. JERUSALEM - NOVEMBER 15: Ultra-Orthodox Jews play the roles of fatalities of a chemical warfare terror attack in the food court of a shopping mall during a training exercise on November 15, 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel. With the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatening that all of the Jewish State is in range of its missiles, and the Islamic group Hamas in Gaza test-firing missiles that can reach as far as Tel Aviv, Israeli security forces all over the country have held recently civil defence exercises with both mass casualty and chemical warfare scenarios.
  7. JERUSALEM - NOVEMBER 15: Wearing protecive suits, Israeli police search for survivors amongst the ultra-Orthodox Jews who play the roles of fatalities of a chemical warfare terror attack in the food court of a shopping mall during a training exercise on November 15, 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel. With the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatening that all of the Jewish State is in range of its missiles, and the Islamic group Hamas in Gaza test-firing missiles that can reach as far as Tel Aviv, Israeli security forces all over the country have held recently civil defence exercises with both mass casualty and chemical warfare scenarios.
  8. JERUSALEM - NOVEMBER 15: Wearing protective suits, Israeli police evacuate the 'victim' of a chemical warfare terror attack in a shopping mall during a training exercise on November 15, 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel. With the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatening that all of the Jewish State is in range of its missiles, and the Islamic group Hamas in Gaza test-firing missiles that can reach as far as Tel Aviv, Israeli security forces all over the country have held recently civil defence exercises with both mass casualty and chemical warfare scenarios.
  9. JERUSALEM - NOVEMBER 15: Ultra-Orthodox Jews play the roles of fatalities of a chemical warfare terror attack in the food court of a shopping mall during a training exercise on November 15, 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel. With the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatening that all of the Jewish State is in range of its missiles, and the Islamic group Hamas in Gaza test-firing missiles that can reach as far as Tel Aviv, Israeli security forces all over the country have held recently civil defence exercises with both mass casualty and chemical warfare scenarios.
  10. Outgoing Lebanese Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzi Sallukh (L) shakes hands with newly-appointed Foreign Minister Ali Al-Shami (R) during a handover ceremony at the ministry' headquarters in Beirut on November 12, 2009. Prime Minister Saad Hariri formed the new unity government late November 9, 2009, after more than four months of difficult negotiations with the Hezbollah-led opposition.
  11. Newly-apointed Lebanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Shami poses during a handover ceremony with outgoing FM Fawzi Sallukh (not pictured) at the ministry's headquarters in Beirut on November 12, 2009. Prime Minister Saad Hariri formed the new unity government late November 9, 2009 after more than four months of difficult negotiations with the Hezbollah-led opposition.
  12. Outgoing Lebanese Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzi Sallukh (L) shakes hands with newly-appointed Foreign Minister Ali Al-Shami (R) during a handover ceremony at the ministry' headquarters in Beirut on November 12, 2009. Prime Minister Saad Hariri formed the new unity government late November 9, 2009, after more than four months of difficult negotiations with the Hezbollah-led opposition.
  13. Newly-apointed Lebanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Shami poses during a handover ceremony with outgoing FM Fawzi Sallukh (not pictured) at the ministry's headquarters in Beirut on November 12, 2009. Prime Minister Saad Hariri formed the new unity government late November 9, 2009 after more than four months of difficult negotiations with the Hezbollah-led opposition.
  14. A Shiite Muslim Lebanese girl holds up a portrait of slain Hezbollah chief Abbas al-Mussawi, killed in February 1992 in an Israeli air raid on south Lebanon, during a Martyr's Day rally in the southern suburbs of Beirut November 11, 2009. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah vowed in a speech on the occasion to cooperate with Lebanon's new unity government but warned that it should avoid the 'big issues,' in allusion to his group's weapons.
  15. Hezbollah supporters, listen to Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah who speaks via a video link during a rally marking Hezbollah Martyr's Day in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009. Nasrallah has lashed out at President Barack Obama, accusing him of absolute bias for Israel and disregard for the Arab and Muslim world. He also warned Israel against waging another war on Lebanon, pledging to hit back deep within Israel.
  16. Hezbollah supporters, listen to Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah who spoke via a video link, during a rally marking Hezbollah Martyrs Day in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009. Nasrallah launched a scathing attack on President Barack Obama, criticizing his "absolute commitment" to Israel and disregard for the Arab and Muslim world. He also warned Israel against launching a new war against Lebanon.

Recent Photos From The Wire

  1. Canada's Joannie Rochette waves after her skate during the Ladies Free Program at the Skate Canada International figure skating event in Kitchener November 21, 2009.
  2. HENDERSON, NV - NOVEMBER 21: Marie Osmond (R) gives Rhonda Troup of California an 'Adora Bitty Belle Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeer' doll at Osmond's launch of her ''Marie Lifestyle'' accessories and home decor collection by Giftcraft at the Hallmark Gold Crown on November 21, 2009 in Henderson, Nevada.
  3. HENDERSON, NV - NOVEMBER 21: Marie Osmond (R) gives Rhonda Troup of California an 'Adora Bitty Belle Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeer' doll at Osmond's launch of her ''Marie Lifestyle'' accessories and home decor collection by Giftcraft at the Hallmark Gold Crown on November 21, 2009 in Henderson, Nevada.
  4. Zsolt Erdei of Hungary exchange punches with Italy's Giacobbe Fragomeni (L) during their WBC cruiserweight world championship boxing fight in Kiel November 21, 2009.
  5. CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 21: Bengt Walden #19 of the USA competes in the World Cup Men's event during the Viessmann Luge World Cup on November 21, 2009 at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Canada.
  6. CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 21: Tony Benshoof #15 of the USA competes in the World Cup Men's event during the Viessmann Luge World Cup on November 21, 2009 at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Canada.
  7. CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 21: Chris Mazdzer #8 of the USA competes in the World Cup Men's event during the Viessmann Luge World Cup on November 21, 2009 at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Canada.
  8. Montreal Canadiens' Kyle Chipchura (28) is upended by Detroit Red Wings' Patrick Eaves (17) during the second period of NHL hockey game in Montreal November 21, 2009.
  9. EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 21: Daryll Clark #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on from the sidelines against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 21, 2009 in East Lansing, Michigan. The Nittany Lions defeated the Spartans 42-14.
  10. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) walks to a lectern to speak to the media after the U.S. Senate voted to begin debate on legislation for a broad healthcare overhaul on Capitol Hill in Washington November 21, 2009.
  11. Zsolt Erdei from Hungary, right, shouts out while Italy's Giacobbe Fragomeni, left, reacts after their cruiserweight WBC World Champion title fight in Kiel, northern Germany, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Erdei won with a majority decision over Fragomeni.
  12. Zsolt Erdei from Hungary, center, raises his arm while Italy's Giacobbe Fragomeni, left, reacts after their cruiserweight WBC World Champion title fight in Kiel, northern Germany, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Erdei won with a majority decision over Fragomeni. At right is referee Vic Drakulich from the U.S.
  13. Zsolt Erdei from Hungary, left, embraces his Italian counterpart Giacobbe Fragomeni after their cruiserweight WBC World Champion title fight in Kiel, northern Germany, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Erdei won with a majority decision over Fragomeni.
  14. Zsolt Erdei from Hungary, left, lands a punch against Italy's Giacobbe Fragomeni during their cruiserweight WBC World Champion title fight in Kiel, northern Germany, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Erdei won with a majority decision over Fragomeni.
  15. Zsolt Erdei from Hungary, left, lands a punch against Italy's Giacobbe Fragomeni during their cruiserweight WBC World Champion title fight in Kiel, northern Germany, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Erdei won with a majority decision over Fragomeni.
  16. Italian boxer Giacobbe Fragomeni, left, lands a punch against Zsolt Erdei from Hungary during their cruiserweight WBC World Champion title fight in Kiel, northern Germany, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Erdei won with a majority decision over Fragomeni.