BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon’s governing coalition said on Friday Hezbollah’s takeover of west Beirut was an “armed coup” aimed at bringing Syria back into the country and serving Iran’s interests.

“The armed and bloody coup which is being implemented aims to return Syria to Lebanon and extend Iran’s reach to the Mediterranean,” the coalition said in a statement read by Christian leader Samir Geagea.

(Writing by Nadim Ladki; Editing by Charles Dick)