AZZenny
06-28-2009, 02:12 PM
BEIRUT (AP) -- Supporters of Lebanon's prime minister-designate clashed with rival gunmen in the streets of Beirut on Sunday, security officials said, in a first outbreak of violence since this month's election.
Hours earlier, the Western-backed billionaire who is to become the country's next prime minister, Saad Hariri, was holding talks with his predecessors as part of the delicate process of forming a government that can unify the deeply divided country.
Security officials had no information on casualties, but Al-Arabiya TV reported that one woman was killed and at least three people were wounded, including a Lebanese soldier.
The army sent troops to the area to try to restore calm, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The fighting was between supporters of Hariri, a Sunni who leads the parliamentary majority, and rival followers of the Hezbollah-allied Shiite parliament speaker.
Hariri was named by Lebanon's president to become the next prime minister after his pro-Western coalition defeated a Hezbollah-backed alliance in the June 7 election.
Among the challenges facing Hariri is the opposition's possible demand for veto power in the government -- something the pro-Western majority has vowed not to give to Hezbollah and its allies.
Hours earlier, the Western-backed billionaire who is to become the country's next prime minister, Saad Hariri, was holding talks with his predecessors as part of the delicate process of forming a government that can unify the deeply divided country.
Security officials had no information on casualties, but Al-Arabiya TV reported that one woman was killed and at least three people were wounded, including a Lebanese soldier.
The army sent troops to the area to try to restore calm, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The fighting was between supporters of Hariri, a Sunni who leads the parliamentary majority, and rival followers of the Hezbollah-allied Shiite parliament speaker.
Hariri was named by Lebanon's president to become the next prime minister after his pro-Western coalition defeated a Hezbollah-backed alliance in the June 7 election.
Among the challenges facing Hariri is the opposition's possible demand for veto power in the government -- something the pro-Western majority has vowed not to give to Hezbollah and its allies.