Militiamen Order Beirut Shops to Close for Prayers
Associated Press
BEIRUT — Armed militiamen ordered shops, banks and other businesses in West Beirut to close at midday Friday to respect the Muslim holy day.
Shopkeepers said they believe the militiamen to be members of Hezbollah, or Party of God, a group loyal to the Iranian supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The troops visited their shops late Thursday afternoon and ordered them to close for 1 1/2 hours at midday Friday. The time coincides with midday prayers in mosques.
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