In Lebanon, calm is slowly returning to the capital Beirut two days after the opposition-led general strike. On Wednesday, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said the opposition could have overthrown the government but stopped short to avoid civil strife.

Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah: “The opposition is able. I am not exaggerating when I say this. The opposition has the political force, mobility, the crowds and the strong will, the ability to make decisions and the ability to plan and act. If the opposition wanted to topple the government, it would have done so on the first day of its protest.”

Meanwhile at a donor meeting in Paris today, the Bush administration announced plans to triple aid to the government of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.