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Tension high during Beirut strike Lebanese military calls for calm
(about 1 hour later)
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. The Lebanese army has warned that its unity will be threatened if the political crisis in Beirut continues.
The capital has been largely paralysed by roadblocks set up by opposition supporters during a second day of protests which started as a strike.
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 and the army remains out in force.
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 Shia factions, led by the Hezbollah movement and its allies, oppose the Western-backed government while the Sunni and Druze factions 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. Call for calm
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 second day running, the people of Beirut awoke to find their city largely brought to a halt by roadblocks of burning tyres and bulldozed earthworks.
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 army was deployed in key thoroughfares and crossroads dividing Beirut itself from the mainly Shia southern suburbs.
What happened in Lebanon is a rehearsal of what the small country is expected to witness over the coming days. It is the fruit of the divisions that run through the Arab world and the Middle East Jordan's al-Dustur newspaper Mid-East press alarm over strikeWhat happened in Lebanon is a rehearsal of what the small country is expected to witness over the coming days. It is the fruit of the divisions that run through the Arab world and the Middle East Jordan's al-Dustur newspaper Mid-East press alarm over strike
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. But troops were not moved into densely built-up, heavily populated neighbourhoods nearby, where tensions remain extremely high.
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.
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.
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.
Opposition supporters continued to block the roads to Beirut's international airport for a second day, leading to the cancellation of flights.
The protests and disruption also affected other parts of the country. There were clashes in the eastern Bekaa Valley, which is mainly controlled by Hezbollah, and the main motorway leading to Syria was cut, heightening Beirut's isolation.
The Lebanese army command issued a call for calm, saying a "continuation of the situation... harms the unity of the military establishment".
The main roads to the international airport are blocked by barricades
In recent years, the army has been seen as one of Lebanon's most neutral institutions, but correspondents say the recent clashes could draw it into the conflict.
The fragmentation of the army along sectarian lines in 1976 was a key moment in Lebanon's descent into civil war.
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 started in earnest, and blood was shed, he says.
Ongoing crisisOngoing 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 the internal power struggle.
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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Are you in Lebanon? Have you been affected by any of the demonstrations - or are you taking part? Send us your comments using the form below:Are you in Lebanon? Have you been affected by any of the demonstrations - or are you taking part? Send us your comments using the form below:
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