Heavy Gunfire in Beirut is reported Now

UPDATE 2 16:50 GMT - The situation is calm because of the spread of the military and security forces. The shops are closed specially in the main areas like Al-Hamra street. cars and petesterians are low in the streets. Beirut Port is still closed, as well as the airport.

Looking at the TV reports of the fighting this morning; the heavy sound of gunfire, the people runnig and hiding, the army in the streets, while smoke was high in the sky, all that reminded me of the civil war that ended seventeen years ago. It was a dejavu of the civil war. scary indeed. But luckly the situation did not escalate more than that. Will it escalate again in the next few days? that we will see.

-----------------------------

UPDATE 13:10 GMT - The army and security forces were able to open some roads around Beirut. tension is easing a little. Roads between the airport and other parts is still closed. The port road was opened. a hand grenade was found next to an office of the Marouned opposition party which is led by General Aoun.

-----------------------------

BEIRUT  May 7, 2008 11:05 GMT - Heavy gunfire is being reported currently in Beirut, with some sniper shots in the areas of Nowery, Ras Al-Nabea, Al-kornaish Cola, and Beirut Arab University. The security forces are trying to resolve the problem.

The shooting  was in the direction of Amal and Hizbullah parties. Some RPG rockets were fired in the sky. Al-Manar reported was beaten by an army soldier  in the Kornaish area.

In Kornaish Al-Mazra’a, the Lebanese army was able to stop some fighting between supporters of the Future party and the demonstrators.

Currently the  Lebanese army is heavily  spreading in the area of Beshara Al-Khory, and Ras Al-Nabea.

Workers are striking in Beirut today as well as the opposition supporters.

Many roads are closed, almost isolating Beirut from other parts of Lebanon.  Some streets are closed with burning tires.

The airport is closed too, and many private planes were moved to neighboring  airports.