Thousands of Hizbollah supporters gathered in the group's stronghold in southern Beirut on Monday to declare they had won the war against Israel. The rally, more in the shape of a religious celebration, is the first since the end of the 34 day conflict. Addressing the masses, Hezbollah deputy leader Ali Mansour said: "We made the choice to begin the conflict with Israel and we knew that it could bring death but God holds the truth and He stuck with us. Victory for the nation came about through strength and determination."
The Shi'ite group has reaffirmed its refusal to lay down its arms. It has demanded the Lebanese government stand down, accusing it of being aligned with Israel.

PHOTO CAPTION

A man waves a Hizbollah flag and a poster of the group's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, during a rally organized by Hizbollah in a southern Beirut suburb September 11, 2006. (REUTERS)