Sunnis, Shiites clash for a second day in Lebanon

Shiite supporters of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Sunnis backing Lebanon's US-allied government clashed in Beirut streets with automatic rifles and grenades on Thursday, security officials and witnesses said.

The latest clashes followed a defiant speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in which he said the militant organizations would respond with force to any attacks. It was the second day of clashes which has turned some city neighborhoods into virtual battle fronts. The sectarian confrontation have also spilled over to other parts of the country. (AP)