Lebanese army 'will open fire at anyone firing live rounds' as deadly clashes rock Beirut suburb
The Lebanese Army warned on Thursday that it would open fire at anyone firing live rounds, calling on civilians to evacuate an area in a predominantly Shia suburb of Beirut as a rally to demand the dismissal of the Beirut port blast lead investigator left a number of dead and injured.
Lebanese army soldiers stand guard on their armored vehicle as supporters of the Shiite Hezbollah and Amal groups burn garbage containers to block a road during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. AP
Gunfire at the rally, which was organised by the Shia Hezbollah and Amal movements, killed two people and wounded 12, according to a doctor at a local hospital.
In an earlier statement, the army reported "bursts of gunfire in the area of Tayouneh - Badaro," adding that it "rushed to cordon off the area and deploy in its neighbourhoods and their entrance. Patrols started as did the search for the shooters to detain them."
Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for calm to be restored and warned against attempts to drag Lebanon into violence.
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