Middle East Emergence of the Shi'Ite Genie

In the Israelis' wake, cries of death and vengeance

Amid joy and cheering from the local populace, Israel completed the first stage of its planned three-phase withdrawal from Lebanon two weeks ago. But in the army's wake came new visitors to raise ominous questions about the region's future. Two days after the last Israeli convoy of some 40 vehicles had left Sidon (pop. 200,000), the largest city in southern Lebanon, there was a brief invasion of another kind. Into Sidon, by bus from Beirut, came a ragtag army of Shi'ite Muslim militants, swearing vengeance against Israel and Lebanon's Christian leadership and vowing to rebuild the country in the image of...

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