Beyond Beirut's tense charm, the security situation to its north and south is spiraling out of control. On Monday, three men were killed in the Southern city of Sidon, after a vicious fight between supporters of Hezbollah and those of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmad Al Assir. With conflicting tales and no arrests or investigations, accusations abounded on the reason behind the clashes. The result was three deaths, and no end of hostility in sight.

After Monday's incident, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah gave speech urging all partisans to maintain calm and refrain from violence. He blamed the March 14 coalition for the disruption of order and emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Lebanese state to control security in the country. But those listening see the disconnect between his words and actions. With Hezbollah controlling both government and arms, there is no force that can surpass its power. Should its supporters clash with their opponents, neither the Lebanese army nor the Internal Security Forces (ISF) are able to intervene.

Ahmad Al Assir, a cleric-turned-military leader, is slowly becoming the nemesis of Nasrallah, even with his limited military capabilities. March 14 leaders have started to warn against the "Assir phenomenon", characterized by the spread of weaponry and violence, but many secretly say this phenomenon emerged in the face of Nasrallah's power and in the absence of traditional Sunni leadership. While Nasrallah offers accolades to Syrian President Bashar Assad, Al Assir has expressed sympathy with the majority-Sunni revolutionaries. Earlier this year, he launched a peaceful sit-in against Hezbollah's arms. The two leaders have often clashed on the Syrian conflict. In this week's clashes, Al Assir's followers shouted "Nasrallah is the enemy of God!"

The recent clashes did not spread to the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain Al Helweh, but there is a danger that protracted violence can lead to more extremism and reinvigorated tensions within certain sectarian pockets. Similar clashes threaten to take over the Abi Samra neighborhood in Tripoli where rival Islamist parties continue to clash over the Syrian conflict. An Alawite minority supportive of the Syrian regime continues to clash with the majority Sunni community, which sympathizes with Syrian revolutionaries.

The March 14 alliance last week launched an aggressive campaign against the Lebanese government, claiming that its leadership has led to instability and negligence of basic public services. The assassination of Intelligence Chief Wissam al-Hassan, followed by a series of deadly clashes, has exposed the incompetence of state authorities. Flagrant violence and the lack of accountability have led to the rise of de-facto community leaders, some of whom have chosen to take up arms. This has further weakened state institutions and challenged the capacity of the Lebanese army.

As Lebanese wait out the uncertainty resulting from regional war, they brace for more sectarian violence. Nasrallah is due to give his grand speech on Ashoura this weekend. He is likely to reiterate support for the Syrian regime and launch a verbal war against Israel, especially after the renewed war in Gaza. In light of the deteriorating situation, it is important for Lebanon's president and prime minister to exemplify wise leadership and offer support for national institutions, such as the army and the security forces. For its part, the international community should now more than ever offer support to Lebanon's institutions to facilitate its transition through all the regional turbulence.