January 29, 2008	Tuesday	Muharram 19, 1429

Hezbollah, Lebanon’s most powerful faction, on Monday demanded to know who was behind shooting that killed eight opposition supporters in some of Beirut’s worst street violence since the 1975-90 civil war.

Hezbollah said any cover-up would be a threat “to stability and civil peace”.

Security sources said at least 29 people were wounded in the violence on Sunday after the army moved to break up a protest by anti-government activists against power cuts. One of the wounded later died in hospital.

“Did those who fell as martyrs and were wounded fall by the army’s bullets, and if so, who issued the order for the soldiers to fire?” Hezbollah asked in a statement. “Or was there another party, and who was it?”

The group said it held the authorities responsible for “every drop of blood spilt”.

Witnesses said soldiers had fired to break up the demonstration. The army, whose leader has been agreed as the next president, has launched an inquiry into the killings.

Army chief General Michel Suleiman and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri agreed the army would conduct a “swift and serious investigation”, a political source said.

At least two members of Berri’s Amal movement and five from Hezbollah were among the dead.—Reuters