Hezbollah marginalized Christians in Lebanon

Last week's fighting, in which at least 81 people were killed, pitted the opposition Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah against pro-government Sunni Muslim and Druze factions

But no major Christian group took part in the fighting or played a role in ending the violence

"Times change. Once we ruled militarily, and now it is Hezbollah,"

Christians have traditionally been leading players in Lebanon

estimated one-third of the population

Christians became divided over loyalties to rival leaders, leaving them marginalized during the latest crisis

community now had "no significant role" in Lebanese politics

The presidency, a post reserved for them under Lebanon's sectarian political system, has been vacant since November, depriving them of a platform to exercise influence

still dominant in business and finance, hope that shunning violence during the latest upheaval will preserve the Christians of Lebanon in the long run