The Free Syrian Army is poised to launch a military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon after a top commander on Wednesday formally confirmed a 48-hour ultimatum for the Shiite group to stop “firing” on rebel positions in the Homs province. "As soon as the ultimatum ends, we will start responding to [Hezbollah] sources of fire," FSA chief of staff General Selim Idriss told AFP. Idriss said that rebel fighters in the Qusayr area would fire back while the FSA would "mobilize fighters equipped with long-range weapons from other areas.”
"Hezbollah is abusing Lebanese sovereignty to shell Syrian territory and Free Syrian Army positions.”

The FSA also said it had asked Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Premier Najib Miqati to intervene, the commander said, but the PM’s denied to AFP any contact with the Syrian rebels. The timing of the ultimatum remains unclear, with NOW first reporting the 48-hour deadline on Tuesday morning after FSA spokesperson Louay Almokdad posted the warning statement on his Facebook page. [Link]