The stand-off in Beirut between the shaky, western-backed government and an opposition spearheaded by Hizbollah, the Shia Islamist group backed by Iran, has taken an alarming turn. Lebanon may finally be committing suicide as a nation.

Hizbollah overran west Beirut on Friday in a devastating show of force that left the Sunni-led coalition of Fuad Siniora reeling.