By Nadim Ladki
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's army began taking steps onTuesday to stop gunmen and groups from illegally carrying armsand to end -- by force if necessary -- a week of fightingbetween Hezbollah fighters and pro-government gunmen.
Hezbollah, the Shi'ite Muslim movement backed by Iran andSyria, and its opposition allies have routed supporters of theSunni-led government in Beirut and hills to the east, infighting that has pushed Lebanon to the brink of a new civilwar.
The Lebanese army has until now stayed neutral in theconflict, which has killed 81 people and raised Arab andinternational concern over the future of the country.
The fighting erupted on May 7 after Prime Minister FouadSiniora's government outlawed Hezbollah's communicationsnetwork and sacked the Beirut airport security chief, who isclose to the group.
Hezbollah said this was a declaration of war and launched aseries of attacks which briefly won it control of large partsof Beirut -- which it then handed over to the army.
The army command said in a statement on Monday night itwould work to end all armed presence in cities and villagesfrom 6 a.m. (4 a.m. British time) and authorised troops to useforce if necessary.
It gave no further details but a security source said themeasure included the arrest of any gunmen, the taking over ofarmed positions and the storming of suspected arms depots.
Gunmen from both sides remained in the streets and clasheshave been widely reported in many parts of the country.
Even if successful, the army's plan did not mean an end tothe opposition's civil campaign to force the government toscrap its the sacking of the security chief and dismantling ofthe Hezbollah communications network.
Much of Beirut remains paralysed by street barricadeserected by Hezbollah and its allies. The capital's air and seaports remain closed.
BLOW TO RULING COALITION
Hezbollah's success has dealt a blow to the Sunni-ledruling coalition and its main patron, the United States, whichhas cast the country as a fragile democracy endangered by theambitions of Hezbollah and its Iranian and Syrian backers.
U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday he wouldconsult regional allies during his forthcoming visit to theMiddle East on ways to bolster Lebanon.
"It is critical that the international community cometogether to assist the Lebanese people in their hour of need,"Bush said in a statement. He will travel to Israel, SaudiArabia and Egypt, starting on Wednesday, and plans to meetSiniora in Egypt on Sunday.
He said the United States would continue to aid theLebanese military so it can defend the government.
In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the UnitedStates and key European and Middle Eastern nations condemnedthe violence in Lebanon and urged all parties to end thefighting.
"We remain deeply concerned by the situation in Lebanon,which threatens the stability of the country and the region,"the "Friends of Lebanon" said in a statement.
"We call for the immediate cessation of fighting, thewithdrawal of gunmen from the streets, the unblocking of roadsand the reopening of Beirut International Airport."
Western and Saudi support has so far done nothing to deterHezbollah from exposing the military weakness of its foes, suchas Sunni leader Saad al-Hariri and Druze chief Walid Jumblatt,whose mountain fiefdom was attacked on Sunday.
On the political front, the government has for 18 monthsresisted opposition demands for veto rights in cabinet, thoughHezbollah has now shown it has the military muscle to vetodecisions it dislikes.
The turmoil has paralysed state institutions and leftLebanon without a president since November. The election of apresident by parliament was postponed to June 10 from Tuesday,the 19th delay caused by the crisis.
An Arab League mission will arrive in Beirut on Wednesdayto mediate between the rival leaders.
