Hezbollah gunmen seize control of Beirut neighborhoods
May 09, 2008 15:56 EDT

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) -- Clashes have eased in Beirut today, but not until after Hezbollah gunmen seized control of Sunni Muslim parts of the capital.

The Shiite militiamen have been battling Sunnis loyal to the U.S.-backed government for the last three days. A Hezbollah ally says the Iranian-allied group intends to make at least a partial withdrawal from the neighborhoods.

Hezbollah gunmen occupied the areas overnight, and celebrated in the empty streets as Lebanon's army largely stood aside.

In Washington, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Hezbollah is demonstrating "contempt for its fellow Lebanese," killing and injuring innocent civilians.

Meanwhile in Paris, France's foreign minister says his government is working on evacuation plans for its citizens in Lebanon in case the situation deteriorates. He says Italy is doing the same.