// BEGIN editorial data
 var i = 0;
var behindClashes_mideast_060714 = new Array();
behindClashes_mideast_060714.ID = "behindClashes_mideast_060714";
behindClashes_mideast_060714.ID_WB = 13866037;
behindClashes_mideast_060714.sPubDate = "8/8/2006 10:31:48 PM GMT";
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behindClashes_mideast_060714.appHeader = "Fact File | Behind the clashes";
behindClashes_mideast_060714.appDeck = "The protagonists, personalities and issues in the Lebanon showdown";
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behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","The protagonists","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Hamas","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_hamas_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_hamas_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Ahmed Jadallah", "Reuters", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Formed in 1987 and considered a terrorist organization by the United States and Israel, Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council in January 2006, thus forming the government of the Palestinian Authority (with separately elected Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas as president). Hamas is believed to receive financial support from Iran, as well as expatriates and sympathizers in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Middle East. Hamas refuses to recognize Israel and a Hamas official described Hezbollah's kidnapping of Israeli soldiers \"a heroic operation carried out against military targets.\"";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Hezbollah","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_hezbollah_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_hezbollah_newbig.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Nasser Ishtayeh", "AP", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Formed in 1982 after Israel&#146;s invasion of Lebanon, Hezbollah (Arabic for &#147;Party of God&#148;) is considered by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization. Consisting almost entirely of Shiite Muslims, it has received support from Iran and Syria and is recognized political party in Lebanon. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of  two Israeli soldiers in June 2006, which triggered an Israeli attack on targets inside Lebanon. Hezbollah expresses sympathy for Hamas and Islamic Jihad, another radical group.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Israel","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_israel_small.jpg<br>-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_israel_app_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Baz Ratner", "AP", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Formed in 1948, modern-day Israel was created by a United Nations plan and was soon beset by hostile actions from neighboring Arab states that opposed its existence, leading to armed conflict. Consistently asserting its right to defend itself by military forays against enemies, Israel has in the past invaded parts of Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan.. The seizure of an Israeli soldier in early June in the Palestinian-controlled Gaza, followed by the capture by two more by Hezbollah forces in July, 2006, sparked a two-front offensive by Israeli forces.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Iran","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_iran_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_iran_app_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Morteza Nikoubazl", "Reuters", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "One of the founding supporters of Hezbollah, Iran has consistently opposed the existence of Israel since being taken over by Muslim fundamentalists in 1979. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has launched verbal attacks against Israel, as well as denying the Holocaust, and in July 2006 pledged Tehran&#146;s &#147;decisive support&#148; to Lebanon. Meantime, the United States, Israel and many other Western nations believe Tehran is developing a nuclear weapons program.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Lebanon","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_lebanon_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_lebanon_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Jamal Saidi", "Reuters", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "The birthplace of Hezbollah, an Islamic organization formed in 1987 following an Israeli invasion, Lebanon endured a 15-year civil war that ended in the early 1990s. Since then, it has successfully conducted several elections, leading to the weakening of most militias. Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has disassociated his government from Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers but has also criticized Israel for its military response.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Syria","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_syria_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_syria_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Bassem Tellawi", "AP", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Bordering both Israel and Lebanon, Syria has a history of deep involvement in Lebanese politics, including actual control of parts of Lebanon in recent years. Since the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah, a Syrian official has said &#147;Lebanon can expect Syria to counter the Israeli blockade.&#148; Syria also has provided support to Hamas, offering shelter to Khaled Mashaal, one of the group&#146;s top leaders.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Main players","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Ehud Olmert","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_olmert_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_olmert_app_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Ronen Zvulun", "Reuters", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "A former deputy prime minister of Israel, Olmert took over the duties of then-prime minister Ariel Sharon on April 14, 2006, following a stroke that left Sharon comatose. Olmert formed a coalition government after his Kadima party won the largest bloc of seats in Israel&#146;s 2006 parlimentary elections. He has refused to negotiate with Hamas, which won the Palestinian elections, and rejected a prisoner swap with Hezbollah, holding Lebanon (as well as sponsors Syria and Iran) responsible for the actions of the Islamic militant group.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_nasrallah_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_nasrallah_app_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "-", "AFP - Getty Images", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "One of the most powerful figures in Lebanon and avowed foe of Israel, Nasrallah is the leader of Hezbollah (Party of God), the Shiite militant organization that has carved out a role as a major political party, with 14 members elected to parliament. He became secretary general of Hezbollah in 1992 after his predecessor was killed in an Israeli air attack.<br>";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Fouad Siniora","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_siniora_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_siniora_app_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Gerard Cerles", "AFP/Getty Images", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Taking the office of Lebanese prime minister in July 2005, Siniora followed in the footsteps of his longtime friend, assassinated former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Siniora, a Sunni Muslim, led the formation of Lebanon&#146;s government after the victory of anti-Syrian candidates in parliamentary elections. On July 13, 2006, he denied responsibility or support for Hezbollah&#146;s attack on Israel while also taking issue with the level of Israel&#146;s military response.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Khaled Mashaal","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_mashaal_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_mashaal_app_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Bassem Tellawi", "AP", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Hamas&#146; Syria-based leader, Mashaal became a public target of Israel in June 2006 for ordering the Gaza Strip kidnapping of an Israeli soldier. &#147;He is definitely in our sights … he is a target,&#148; Israel&#146;s justice minister is reported to have said. Israel previously attempted to assassinate Mashaal in Jordan in 1997. Israel has accused Syria of harboring Mashaal and providing logistical support.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Bashar Assad","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_assad_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_assad_app_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Louai Beshara", "AFP/Getty Images", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Succeeding his father, longtime strongman Hafez Assad, as president of Syria in 2000, Assad has expressed solidarity with Palestinians and has accused Israel of &#147;repression.&#148; The United States and Israel have previously linked Assad to support for such groups as Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Mahmoud Ahmadinejad","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_Ahmadinejad_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_Ahmadinejad_app_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Irna", "AFP/Getty Images", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "President of Iran since August 2005, Ahmadinejad has provoked the international community with his assertions of a right to develop nuclear capabilities and his outspoken opposition to Israel. Amid fighting between Lebanon and Israel in July 2006, he renewed the verbal attacks he had made in 2005 and early 2006. Iran&#146;s defense minister also pledged Tehran&#146;s &#147;decisive support&#148; to Lebanon.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Immediate issues","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Hezbollah","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_hezbollah_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_hezbollah_newbig.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Nasser Ishtayeh", "AP", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Hezbollah had long sought to capture soldiers to trade for prisoners in Israel. The organization may also hope to get Israel to agree a prisoner swap with the Hamas-led Palestinian government after the capture of another Israeli soldier by Gaza-based militants. In addition, Hezbollah is keen to shore up its political standing in Lebanon and in the eyes of the Arab world. Formed in reaction to Israel&#146;s former occupation of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah lost much of its raison d&#146;etre when Israel withdrew in 2000.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Israel","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_israel_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_israel_app_big.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Baz Ratner", "AP", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Israel has refused Hezbollah&#146;s offer of a prisoner swap, saying it would encourage more hostage-taking. Israel&#146;s hopes of getting the prisoners back are based on increasing internal Lebanese pressure on Hezbollah. Israel also wants to weaken Hezbollah and prevent it returning to domination of Lebanon&#146;s southern border with Israel and having the capability to fire rockets deep into the country.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Hezbollah's arsenal","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Katyusha rockets","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_assad_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060717_Katyusha_app.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Mohammed Zatari", "AP", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Hundreds of rockets and several missiles have been fired into Israel since the current conflict began. Rockets are unguided and missiles are capable of hitting a direct target. Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah has repeatedly said his group holds more than 10,000 of these weapons. <p>The most numerous in the Hezbollah arsenal, Katyusha rockets have little guidance and a range of about 7 to 12 miles. Hezbollah is believed to have thousands of Katyushas - estimates range from 5,000 to 13,000.  The Katyusha was originally a World War II-era Soviet rocket and it means &#147;little Kate&#148; in Russian.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Fajr rockets ","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_assad_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060717_fajr3_app.jpg ","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Reuters", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Hezbollah is believed to have about 100 of these Iranian-made rockets. The Fajr-3 version has a range of 27 miles and the Fajr-5 variant has a range of around 46 miles. Footage broadcast by Hezbollah suggests it manufactured its own version of the latter, renaming it Raad-1.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","Zelzal-2 ballistic missiles","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_assad_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060717_zelzal_app.jpg ","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Hasan Sarbakhshian", "AP", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Foreign analysts believe Iran has secretly deployed Zelzal-2 ballistic missiles with Hezbollah. Believed capable of carrying a 1,320 pound warhead, possibly with chemical or biological agents, to a maximum range of 125 miles. That would put all major Israeli cities in range.";

behindClashes_mideast_060714[i++] = new Array("","C-802 missile","<!--http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060713_assad_app_small.jpg-->","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/_prod/060713_mideast_app/060717_c802_app.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Reuters", "210", "315", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
behindClashes_mideast_060714[i-1].body = "Hezbollah fired an Iranian-supplied C-802 missile at an Israeli navy vessel off Beirut on July 14, killing four sailors. The C-802 is made in China, who supplied these missiles to Iran after the Gulf War. U.S. pressure halted this trade in the mid-1990s.";

	// END editorial data