Eleven dead as gun battles rage over control of Beirut

Published on Friday 9 May 2008 10:29

GUN battles are continuing to rage between groups fighting for control of Beirut in clashes that have killed 11 and wounded more than 20 in the past three days.

Shia opposition gunmen backed by Iran and Syria seized control of several neighbourhoods from Sunni foes loyal to the US-backed government led by Saad Hariri.

A TV station belonging to Hariri went off the air and newspaper offices were set on fire as the violence between the pro-government forces and Hezbollah grew in the Lebanese capital.

The crackle of gunfire and occasional explosions reverberated across the western, largely Muslim, sector of the city.

In several areas known to be dominated by supporters of the government, Shia gunmen roamed unopposed on deserted streets, where dozens of cars and shops were damaged by the fighting.

The scenes were a grim reminder of Lebanon's devastating 1975-90 civil war in which 150,000 were killed and parts of the city wrecked.

The army, which has stayed out of the sectarian political squabbling that has paralysed the country, did not intervene in the fighting.