Opposition supporters led by Hezbollah in Lebanon are blocking roads in Beirut on the second day of protests which started as a strike for higher pay.
Opposition supporters led by Hezbollah in Lebanon are blocking roads in Beirut on the second day of protests which started as a strike for higher pay.
Activity is limited, with many shops, schools and offices closed. The international airport is also closed.
Activity is limited, with many shops, schools and offices closed. The international airport is also closed.
Tensions remain high after Wednesday's clashes between Sunni and Shia gunmen.
Tensions remain high after Wednesday's clashes between Sunni and Shia gunmen.
There are fears political and sectarian tension could erupt into more violence. The army remains out in force in parts of city, but not all.
There are fears political and sectarian tension could erupt into more violence. The army remains out in force in parts of city, but not all.
The strike has added to tension between Lebanese Shia factions - which oppose the Western-backed government - and Sunni and Druze parties, which support it.
The strike has added to tension between Lebanese Shia factions - which oppose the Western-backed government - and Sunni and Druze parties, which support it.
For the moment, it seems to be a tense stand-off, with everybody waiting to see if a way can be found to break the political deadlock, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut.
For the moment, it seems to be a tense stand-off, with everybody waiting to see if a way can be found to break the political deadlock, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut.
It clearly would take very little to set off a conflagration that would be very hard to stop if shooting starts in earnest, and blood is shed, he says.
It clearly would take very little to set off a conflagration that would be very hard to stop if shooting starts in earnest, and blood is shed, he says.
The main roads to the city's international airport are blocked by barricades of burning tyres and bulldozed earthworks, manned by militants from Hezbollah or their allies.
The main roads to the city's international airport are blocked by barricades of burning tyres and bulldozed earthworks, manned by militants from Hezbollah or their allies.
The final approach to the airport can only be done on foot, so flights have been cancelled for the second day running.
The final approach to the airport can only be done on foot, so flights have been cancelled for the second day running.
Major roads are also cut in the eastern Beqaa valley, disrupting the main motorway to Syria.
Major roads are also cut in the eastern Beqaa valley, disrupting the main motorway to Syria.
On the main thoroughfare dividing Beirut itself from the mainly Shia southern suburbs, the army is out in force.
On the main thoroughfare dividing Beirut itself from the mainly Shia southern suburbs, the army is out in force.
But inside the densely populated areas nearby, where Sunnis and Shia live cheek by jowl, there is little army presence.
But inside the densely populated areas nearby, where Sunnis and Shia live cheek by jowl, there is little army presence.
Many streets are blocked off by local people, with young men on a high state of alert, ready to defend their own neighbourhoods.
Many streets are blocked off by local people, with young men on a high state of alert, ready to defend their own neighbourhoods.
Ongoing crisis
Ongoing crisis
The country is witnessing its deepest political crisis since the civil war.
The country is witnessing its deepest political crisis since the civil war.
Lebanon has been without a head of state for five months because of a power struggle between the Western and Saudi-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition which is supported by Syria and Iran.
Lebanon has been without a head of state for five months because of a power struggle between the Western and Saudi-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition which is supported by Syria and Iran.
Unions, which called the general strike on Wednesday, are demanding that the government triple the minimum monthly wage, which currently stands at $200 (£102).
Unions, which called the general strike on Wednesday, are demanding that the government triple the minimum monthly wage, which currently stands at $200 (£102).
Prices have been rising in Lebanon, especially food and fuel, with the situation exacerbated by the weakening of the US dollar, but Finance Minister Jihad Azour has warned that big pay rises would lead to rampant inflation.
Prices have been rising in Lebanon, especially food and fuel, with the situation exacerbated by the weakening of the US dollar, but Finance Minister Jihad Azour has warned that big pay rises would lead to rampant inflation.
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