At least six people were killed and 30 injured in Beirut as gunfire broke out at a protest against the judge investigating 2020 blast at the city’s port.
The Lebanese Red Cross said the protest drew followers of the pro-Iran Shiite Hezbollah movement and its allies.
Hezbollah movement was gathering at the Justice Palace when the gunfire erupted, sending people running for cover.
Hours after the violence started on Thursday morning, the army was slowly restoring order by the afternoon.
Tanks and soldiers were deployed on the streets that saw the worst of the mayhem.
The ground was strewn with broken glass and several buildings were riddled with bullets.
The army warned that its personnel will shoot at any gunmen on the streets and told civilians to leave the area.
Soldiers helped to evacuate the elderly who were stranded in their homes.
Prime Minister, Najib Mikati urged everyone to remain calm and not be dragged into civil strife for any reason.
A witness said the gunfire first came from a building in the Tayouneh neighbourhood and then wider clashes erupted.
Residents of Tayouneh were seen carrying their children and leaving their homes as gunfire intensified.
Some school children were held in their classrooms to protect them.
Hezbollah and its close ally, the Amal movement, said sniper fire from rooftops of buildings resulted in deaths and serious injuries among their followers.
“This attack by armed and organized groups aims to drag the country into a deliberate strife.’’
Amal Movement and Hezbollah in a statement called on the Lebanese army to take responsibility and intervene quickly to stop these criminals.
“They also urge supporters and partisans to calm down and not be drawn into malicious strife.’’
Joanna Wronecka, UN special coordinator for Lebanon, expressed concern in a tweet, saying it is critical to show maximum restraint to ensure that calm is restored and that citizens are protected.
The violence came shortly after a Lebanese court rejected a request by two former government ministers to remove judge Tarek Bitar, who is investigating the deadly Beirut port blast.
Former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil and former public works minister Ghazi Zeaiter filed a lawsuit on Tuesday requesting the dismissal of Bitar, saying he was violating rules on questioning government members.
Khalil and Zeaiter are both Muslim Shiites and close to Hezbollah and Amal, they have led a fierce attack against Bitar and demanded he be replaced with a “transparent and honest judge.”
