19:16 BST 11 April
Hugo Bachega
Middle East correspondent in Beirut
BBC’s Hugo Bachega sees thousands of Hezbollah supporters demonstrating in Beirut
Outside the Lebanese prime minister’s office in central Beirut, Hezbollah supporters gathered to protest against the prospect of direct talks with Israel, an offer by the Lebanese government to try to put an end to the war and pave the way for, many hope, lasting peace.
The crowd chanted revolutionary slogans, carried Hezbollah’s yellow flag, the flag of Iran – the group’s main supporter – and pictures of the late Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Sara, who was waving a Lebanese flag, told me: “I’m proud to be here because Hezbollah, it’s the only resistance against these evil ones, this [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, one who is stealing our country, killing our people.”
Followers see Hezbollah, who they call “the resistance”, as the only force able to protect them against Israel, which they say is intent on seizing Lebanese land.
Israel says Hezbollah is a threat and that it aims to create a so-called security buffer zone along the border to protect its northern communities. In Lebanon, there are fears that this could lead to an occupation of parts of the country.
Opponents blame Hezbollah for dragging Lebanon into conflicts, want the group to be disarmed, and support negotiating with Israel. Lebanon has demanded a ceasefire before any talks, but Israel says the war will continue.