6 Dead, Several Wounded in Armed Clashes in Beirut

Lebanese Army soldiers and medics take a position in the area of Tayyouneh, in the southern suburb of the capital Beirut on October 14, 2021, after clashes following a demonstration by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal movement. (AFP)
Lebanese Army soldiers and medics take a position in the area of Tayyouneh, in the southern suburb of the capital Beirut on October 14, 2021, after clashes following a demonstration by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal movement. (AFP)
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6 Dead, Several Wounded in Armed Clashes in Beirut

Lebanese Army soldiers and medics take a position in the area of Tayyouneh, in the southern suburb of the capital Beirut on October 14, 2021, after clashes following a demonstration by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal movement. (AFP)
Lebanese Army soldiers and medics take a position in the area of Tayyouneh, in the southern suburb of the capital Beirut on October 14, 2021, after clashes following a demonstration by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal movement. (AFP)

At least six people were killed and several others wounded in armed clashes that broke out in Beirut Thursday during a protest against the lead judge investigating last year’s massive blast in the city's port.

The protest outside the Justice Palace was called for by the Hezbollah group and its allies from Amal movement who are demanding the removal of Judge Tarek Bitar.

Hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrates that had been improperly stored at a port warehouse detonated on August 4, 2020, killing at least 215 people, injuring thousands and destroying parts of nearby neighborhoods.

Bitar, the second judge to lead the complicated investigation, has come up against formidable opposition from Hezbollah and its allies who accuse him of singling out politicians for questioning, most of them allied with the party.

None of Hezbollah’s officials have so far been charged in the 14-month-old investigation.

Thursday's exchanges of fire involving snipers, pistols, Kalashnikovs and rocket-propelled grenades were a dangerous escalation of tensions over the domestic probe.

In scenes reminiscent of the 1975-90 civil war, local television stations broadcast footage of bullets bouncing off buildings and people running for cover.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati appealed for calm and urged people “not to be dragged into civil strife.”

He followed up with the army chief to see what steps were being taken to control the situation, and called for the arrest of those responsible, a statement said.

The army said the protesters were fired on while they were heading to the Palace of Justice to hold the demonstration.

"While protesters were going to the Palace of Justice they were fired at in the Tayyouneh area," an army statement said.

The army deployed heavily in the area and said it would open fire against any armed person on the road.

Hezbollah and Amal said armed groups had fired at the protesters from rooftops, aiming at their heads in an attack they said aimed to drag the country to strife.

In a statement, the parties called on the army to intervene quickly to detain the perpetrators and called on their supporters to remain calm.



Lebanon's President Tells US Senior Official Israeli Occupation in Remaining Points Must End

Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
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Lebanon's President Tells US Senior Official Israeli Occupation in Remaining Points Must End

Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday told US national security adviser Mike Waltz that it is necessary to end the Israeli occupation in the remaining points and complete the implementation of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Israeli troops withdrew on Tuesday from most of south Lebanon but Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel would temporarily remain in five points needed for its security, Reuters reported.

The Lebanese presidency said that Lebanon would consider any remaining Israeli presence on Lebanese land an occupation.

Israel had been due to withdraw by January 26, but this was extended to February 18 after it accused Lebanon of failing to enforce the terms. Lebanon at the time accused Israel of delaying its withdrawal.