Hezbollah

In the early 1980’s large numbers of Shia had fled the violence in south Lebanon. Most were living in slums in the southern suburbs of Beirut, commonly referred to as the belt of misery. The country was engulfed in civil war and the Lebanese Government felt their power was threatened by the large influx of Shia and ignored their plight. The Shia that remained in the south were increasingly disillusioned by continued Israeli occupation. These circumstances created the perfect breeding ground for Islamic Fundamentalism to thrive. Since then Hezbollah has established itself as a political force within Lebanon. Almost all Lebanese fully supported Hezbollah's resistance of Israeli occupation but many still remain weary of what their ultimate goals are.