Siniora: Hezbollah tried Lebanese 'coup'

BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 10 (UPI) -- Hezbollah leaders attempted to stage a "militant coup d'etat" in Lebanon, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said Saturday.

Making his first public comments since widespread violence erupted in Beirut three days ago, Siniora said the militant group was to blame for armed conflict filling the streets of the Lebanese capital, CNN reported.

"We thought the threat our country was from our historic enemy Israel. But recent experience now shows that our homes and our democracy is being held hostage by our own brothers, who want to create coup and terror," the prime minister said.

CNN said 24 people have been killed in Beirut during this week's conflict.

Siniora said the recent outbreak of violence by Hezbollah should not be tolerated any longer and called on the military to respond, CNN reported.

"We can no longer accept that Hezbollah and its weapons be kept like this. The Lebanese can no longer continue to accept this situation," Siniora said.