Hezbollah is to hold a rally in Beirut to mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for its assassinated commander Imad Mughniyeh.
Mughniyeh was killed by a car bomb in Damascus on 12 February.

Israel, although it denies any involvement in the killing, has been braced for retaliation.

During his life, Mughniyeh lived in the shadows. But since his death, he has been acclaimed by Hezbollah as one of the group's most important commanders.

The United States and Israel regarded him as a terrorist, responsible for a string of high-profile attacks over more than two decades.

After his killing in Damascus last month, Hezbollah blamed Israel. The group's leader Hassan Nasrallah spoke of "open war" and hinted at revenge.

Temperature gauge

Israel denied involvement, but has issued warnings to its citizens around the world.

There is speculation that retaliation could come soon, now that the traditional 40-day mourning period is over.

But a counter argument is that Hezbollah will do nothing to risk triggering another war with Israel.

The rally in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday will give further indications of the mood among Hezbollah supporters, and the appetite for further confrontation.