Gunmen from Shia militant group Hezbollah have taken control of most of western Beirut, driving out supporters of the pro-Western government.
Gunmen from Shia militant group Hezbollah have taken control of most of western Beirut, driving out supporters of the pro-Western government.
The gunmen, loyal to Hezbollah and its Shia opposition allies, also forced the closure of pro-government media.
The gunmen, loyal to Hezbollah and its Shia opposition allies, also forced the closure of pro-government media.
The fighting was sparked by a government move on Monday to shut down Hezbollah's telecoms network.
The fighting was sparked by a government move on Monday to shut down Hezbollah's telecoms network.
At least 11 people, mainly civilians, have been killed and dozens injured in the city in three days of clashes.
At least 11 people, mainly civilians, have been killed and dozens injured in the city in three days of clashes.
Media offices owned by Saad Hariri, a leader of the pro-Western governing coalition, were evacuated and shut on Friday after being attacked by militants loyal to Hezbollah.
Media offices owned by Saad Hariri, a leader of the pro-Western governing coalition, were evacuated and shut on Friday after being attacked by militants loyal to Hezbollah.
'Cut off the hand'
'Cut off the hand'
The army moved in after gunmen besieged TV station Future News and partially set fire to the offices of al-Mustaqbal newspaper. Mr Hariri's radio station was also silenced.
The army moved in after gunmen besieged TV station Future News and partially set fire to the offices of al-Mustaqbal newspaper. Mr Hariri's radio station was also silenced.
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Gunfire on the streets of Beirut
Gunfire on the streets of Beirut
A compromise was reached for the premises to be taken over and protected by the Lebanese army at the price of going off the air.
A compromise was reached for the premises to be taken over and protected by the Lebanese army at the price of going off the air.
The Lebanese army command has warned its unity is at risk if crisis in Beirut drags on.
'Save Lebanon from hell'
'Save Lebanon from hell'
The Lebanese army command has warned its unity is at risk if crisis in Beirut drags on.
The army is trying not to take sides in the escalating stand-off
Other offices previously manned by Mr Hariri's followers in different parts of central and western Beirut were left burnt out and abandoned.
Other offices previously manned by Mr Hariri's followers in different parts of central and western Beirut were left burnt out and abandoned.
Within the first few hours of daylight on Friday, much of the fighting appeared to have died away, after a night of constant gunfire and explosions.
Within the first few hours of daylight on Friday, much of the fighting appeared to have died away, after a night of constant gunfire and explosions.
It is said to be the worst internal strife since Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war
But a rocket-propelled grenade hit the fence of the heavily protected home of Mr Hariri in western Beirut's Koreitem neighbourhood, officials said.
But a rocket-propelled grenade hit the fence of the heavily protected home of Mr Hariri in western Beirut's Koreitem neighbourhood, officials said.
Mr Hariri - Lebanon's top Sunni politician - was thought to have been inside at the time.
Mr Hariri - Lebanon's top Sunni politician - was thought to have been inside at the time.
The urban warfare has shut down Lebanon's port and all but closed the international airport, with burning barricades on major highways in Beirut.
The urban warfare has shut down Lebanon's port and all but closed the international airport, with burning barricades on major highways in Beirut.
'Mis-understanding'
As Hezbollah fighters move around large swathes of Beirut unopposed, the BBC's Jim Muir in the city says it all amounts to a humiliating blow to the Western-backed government.
As Hezbollah fighters move around large swathes of Beirut unopposed, the BBC's Jim Muir in the city says it all amounts to a humiliating blow to the Western-backed government.
It appears to have badly overplayed its hand in moving to close Hezbollah's telecoms network on Tuesday, says our correspondent.
It appears to have badly overplayed its hand in moving to close Hezbollah's telecoms network on Tuesday, says our correspondent.
The government declared illegal the fixed-line network that covers the movement's strongholds of south and east Lebanon and southern Beirut.
The government declared illegal the fixed-line network that covers the movement's strongholds of south and east Lebanon and southern Beirut.
It is said to be the worst internal strife since Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called the move a "declaration of war" in a speech on Thursday.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called the move a "declaration of war" in a speech on Thursday.
Mr Hariri then proposed a compromise, calling it a "misunderstanding" and saying the army would have the final say.
Mr Hariri then proposed a compromise, calling it a "misunderstanding" and saying the army would have the final say.
He urged gunmen from both sides to withdraw from the streets "to save Lebanon from hell", as he called for a meeting with Sheikh Nasrallah.
He urged gunmen from both sides to withdraw from the streets "to save Lebanon from hell", as he called for a meeting with Sheikh Nasrallah.
The United Nations Security Council has urged the rival parties to stop fighting.
The United Nations Security Council has urged the rival parties to stop fighting.
Correspondents say the bloodshed amounts to the worst internal strife since Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.
Correspondents say the bloodshed amounts to the worst internal strife since Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.
Are you in Beirut? Have you been affected by the fighting? What is the situation in your area? Send us your comments using the form below:
Are you in Beirut? Have you been affected by the fighting? What is the situation in your area? Send us your comments using the form below:
