The people of Lebanon face a critical choice. The Lebanese government is splitting apart. Will they support the U.S.- and European-backed Lebanese government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, or will they join the Iranian-controlled Hezbollah axis? The outcome will have profound ramifications for not only their country, but the whole Middle East.

In what has turned into a crisis within the Lebanese government, Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, urged his constituents to prepare for mass protests aimed at toppling the Western-backed government lead by Siniora.

“We could call for demonstrations in 24 hours, 12 hours or 6 hours,” threatened Nasrallah. “When the time comes, we have to be ready. … We have to be ready in all cases.”

The crisis ignited after five Hezbollah-allied politicians resigned from Siniora’s cabinet after talks broke down that would have given Hezbollah more power over the government (including the ability to veto any decisions), as well as over a UN-drafted plan to investigate who assassinated the late Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. The murder is widely suspected to have been ordered from Syria, one of Hezbollah’s primary supporters.

Hezbollah’s aim seems directed toward dissolving the current government and forcing new elections. Although the current administration argues that it is still constitutionally able to operate without the five Hezbollah-allied ministers, it could be significantly weakened since the Hezbollah axis, composed primarily of Shiites, represents the largest single religious community in Lebanon.

Events increasingly indicate that Iran is gaining influence and power in Lebanon. The anti-American sentiment currently sweeping the Arab world will probably hinder the more pro-West Siniora government and provide expansionist fuel for the Iranian-backed Hezbollah axis.

Will Lebanon become a puppet state controlled by Iran? Growing Lebanese electoral support for Hezbollah suggests Iranian influence is rising. This is not good news for any peace prospects with Israel, especially since Hezbollah refuses to renounce its stated mission: the destruction of Israel, the eradication of the Israelis, and ultimately a worldwide Islamic empire. Hezbollah and its backers in Iran and Syria have stated these goals emphatically and repeatedly. With goals like these, there is no possibility of a lasting peace.