Supporters of Lebanon's Hizbullah-led opposition blocked main roads in Beirut with burning barricades on Wednesday, paralyzing the city and deepening a political conflict with the US-backed government.
The opposition supporters set cars and tires ablaze to block the main road to Beirut's international airport, where air traffic was suspended because of a strike by staff taking part in a labor union protest to demand higher wages.
The opposition has backed the strike. Activists loyal to Hizbullah, a political group with a guerrilla army and backing from Iran and Syria, also blocked routes to Beirut's main commercial district.
Beirut protests (Photo: AFP)
The scenes were reminiscent of an anti-government protest in 2007 that led to some of Lebanon's worst internal strife since its 1975-90 civil war. A stun grenade exploded in Beirut, slightly wounding one person, a security source said.
In Lebanon's deepest political crisis since the civil war, Hizbullah has been leading a campaign against Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government since November 2006. The standoff has left Lebanon without a president for five months.
Hizbullah, Lebanon's most powerful Shi'ite faction, and its allies in the opposition have deemed Siniora's cabinet illegitimate since all of its Shi'ite Muslim ministers resigned in 2006.
Spy games
Tension between the government and Hizbullah escalated sharply on Tuesday.
The government accused Hizbullah of violating Lebanon's sovereignty by operating its own communications network and installing spy cameras at the airport.
The government, supported by Arab states including Saudi Arabia, also removed the head of Beirut airport security in another challenge to Hizbullah.
Governing coalition leaders allege Hizbullah is spying on the airport to monitor their movements. Eight members of the anti-Syrian coalition have been assassinated since 2005.