Reports are sketchy as to what exactly spawned the latest attacks, though it doesn’t take much to kick-start Hezbollah’s gunmen. What is known is that Hezbollah (which, in defiance of UN Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701, justifies its existence and weaponry as “necessary” to resist foreign aggression) has increasingly turned its weapons on the Lebanese citizenry.

Last month’s attacks, which began May 7, were launched after the legitimate Lebanese government attempted to remove the Beirut airport security chief after it was discovered he was directly connected to “Hezbollah,” as well as the government’s discovery of an extensive Hezbollah telecommunications system which the government tried to shut down.

In the end — after Hezbollah’s week-long reign of terror against innocent civilians and pro-democracy supporters (who attempted a brave but somewhat futile defense of their homes and places of business) — the government caved. The army had barely fired a shot. The Hezbollah-connected airport security chief got to keep his job, and his terrorist overlords got to keep their vast telecom system. To pour salt in the proverbial wound, Hezbollah was granted veto power in all government decisions and additional cabinet seats.

Then on May 26, the day after pro-Syrian Gen. Michel Sleiman was sworn in as Lebanon’s president — a deal that was cut in the same regional crisis talks that awarded Hezbollah (and of course, Iran and Syria) its new veto powers — fighting again broke out.

Yes, it was a matter of Hezbollah “again” attacking members of the pro-democracy movement in that country. And, yes, the scope of that reporting was — as it has been today — negligible.

Now we come to last night: Hezbollah fighters “again” attacked villagers, and they did so with rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, and light and heavy machineguns.

Even worse — according to our sources –  it took the Lebanese Army at least eight hours to respond. And when the Army did finally roll in, it did not confront Hezbollah directly (with “direct action”).

And don’t get me started on the useless, toothless UN force in Lebanon.

Where is the West in this?!

UPDATE: Just got off the phone with Tom Harb, secretary general of the World Council for the Cedars Revolution, who tells me:

“The general public and members of the pro-democracy majority in Lebanon are calling on the UN for immediate assistance. Additionally, Hezbollah has still not withdrawn from many of the areas of west Beirut they invaded last month.”

More to come.

— Visit W. Thomas Smith Jr. at uswriter.com.