January 24, 2007	Wednesday	Muharram 04, 1428

BEIRUT, Jan 23: Three people were killed and 133 wounded in factional fighting in Lebanon on Tuesday as opposition protestors staged a nationwide strike, blocking roads with burning tyres in the latest show of force aimed at ousting the Western-backed government.

Police said the protests erupted into violence as pro-government supporters fought street battles with followers of the opposition led by the pro-Syrian militant party Hezbollah.

Three people were killed in the northern port cities of Tripoli and Batroun, while 133 others were wounded in armed clashes, fistfights and stone-throwing in various areas of the country, brought to its knees by the one-day general strike.

The violence added to concerns over the stability of a country still bearing the scars of the 1975-1990 civil war and last summer's massive Israeli offensive against Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Fuad Siniora warned that the government and the army will not be “lenient with any attempts to disrupt public order, civil peace and the respect of the law.” “The strike was transformed into acts and incitements which exceeded all limits and reminded of the era of discord, war and tutelage,” he said, referring to the 29-year Syrian military domination of the country until 2005.

After a day of widespead violence, the demonstrations eased by nightfall and the army began clearing blocked roads across the country.

During the day, troops and police were out in force for the action which was denounced by the government as a “coup attempt” by the opposition movement spearheaded by Hezbollah.

Thick clouds of smoke billowed over the capital and other cities as demonstrators blocked roads by burning tyres and old cars, and spreading sand and rubble.

Militants also cut road access to Beirut airport in an escalation of the protest that has crippled the Siniora administration for weeks.

The strike was the first major escalation by the opposition since its supporters began a sit-in outside government offices in Beirut last Dec 1.

Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh, who survived an assassination attempt in 2004 blamed on Syria, denounced the action as an “anti-government coup”.

The strike comes just two days before an international donors' conference in Paris for Lebanon, which is still reeling from the economic impact of the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The government and parliament has been effectively powerless since six pro-Syrian ministers, including five from Hezbollah, quit the government in November.—AFP