We may be about to witness the takeover of Lebanon by Iran’s proxy, Hizballah: Hezbollah urges mass protests in Lebanon.

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Hezbollah’s leader urged his followers to prepare for mass demonstrations to topple the government if it ignores the militant group’s demand to form a national unity coalition.

In a speech broadcast Sunday, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah railed against President Bush’s administration, calling Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice a “bloodsucker” and claiming the current Lebanese government is a puppet of Washington.

He did not set a date for the anti-government protests, which he said should be nonviolent. But he told supporters and political allies to get ready to take to Beirut’s streets for days or even weeks to force the resignation of the government.

“We, all of us, must be psychologically and morally ready to take to the streets. It is one means for the required movement,” Nasrallah said in a speech Saturday which was aired Sunday on Hezbollah’s TV station Al-Manar.

“We do not want riots … We must respect private and public property. We will not allow any clashes even if (anti-Syrian groups) stage a counter street demonstration,” he said. “We are capable of taking to the street and staying there for a day, two, or three, or a week, or two or three weeks, or for more or less until we eventually impose by our peaceful, civilized and democratic means the toppling of an illegitimate and unconstitutional government.”