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Beirut protests keep pressure on Beirut tense after deadly attack
(about 15 hours later)
Lebanon's political crisis is continuing as demonstrators remain camped in the centre of Beirut in an attempt to bring down the government. The Lebanese authorities have increased the army and police presence in Beirut as protests against the Western-backed government continue into a fourth day.
Thousands of supporters of Hezbollah and its pro-Syrian allies are on the streets calling for Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government to go. A protester was shot dead on Sunday - the first casualty since militant group Hezbollah called for the protests.
Mr Siniora is refusing to step down to make way for a government that would include more of Hezbollah's allies. Ahmed Mahmoud, a Shia, was killed by an unknown gunman in a Sunni district, but details of the incident are unclear.
Arab countries are stepping up their efforts to help resolve the crisis. A BBC correspondent says the situation in the city remains very tense, with streets to Sunni areas closed off.
Sunni Muslim districts were the scene of several clashes between residents and protesters on Sunday, with some adversaries wielding sticks and knives.
We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement... to rid us of an incapable government Sheikh Hassan NasrallahHezbollah leader Send us your comments The deadly shooting incident happened in the Qasqas neighbourhood.
Observers say such incidents could provoke widespread inter-communal strife in a country that was brought to its knees by civil war in the 1970s and 1980s.
The head of the Arab League, Amr Musa, is visiting Beirut to offer to mediate between the government and the opposition, and envoys from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Tunisia are offering their help.The head of the Arab League, Amr Musa, is visiting Beirut to offer to mediate between the government and the opposition, and envoys from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Tunisia are offering their help.
Mr Musa said stability in Lebanon was vital to the whole region: Veto demand
Thousands of pro-Syrian protesters have spent three nights in a tent city in central Beirut outside the government office of anti-Syrian Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
They accuse Mr Siniora of being too pro-Western and anti-Syrian, and of failing the Lebanese people.
The opposition, led by the Shia Muslim militant and political movement Hezbollah with some prominent Christian allies, has been demanding an effective veto power in the government.
Political ferment Lebanon crisis explainedPolitical ferment Lebanon crisis explained
"Lebanon is an important component of the Arab world and the Arab society of nations. The stability in Lebanon and moving towards a solution that would bring about a sure future for the country is one of our concerns." The current crisis was sparked last month when five Shia ministers and one Christian minister quit the government.
There were clashes between Shia and Sunni Muslims in Beirut on Saturday in which one man was died and at least 12 others were wounded. Hezbollah had asked for cabinet seats that would give it and its allies power of veto, but the majority group in parliament refused.
The dead man, a Shia Muslim, was shot in a Sunni district while returning home from the sit-in protest, officials said.
Cabinet seats
Protesters, led mainly by the Shia militant movement Hezbollah and its Christian allies, have been camping out in Beirut close to the prime minister's office since a huge anti-government rally on Friday.
They accuse Mr Siniora of being too pro-Western and anti-Syrian and of failing the Lebanese people.
The current crisis was sparked last month when five Shia ministers and a Christian ally quit the government.
Hezbollah had asked for cabinet seats that would give it and its allies power of veto but the majority group in parliament refused.
The political tension was increased two weeks later with the assassination of a leading anti-Syrian minister, Pierre Gemayel.The political tension was increased two weeks later with the assassination of a leading anti-Syrian minister, Pierre Gemayel.
Marathon The government came to office last year in the first election after the withdrawal of Syrian troops, originally stationed in Lebanon during the civil war.
Despite the protests, several hundred runners took to the streets of Beirut for Lebanon's annual marathon.
The organisers said the route had been changed slightly, and police and soldiers were deployed along the route.
We appeal to all Lebanese, from every region and political movement... to rid us of an incapable government Sheikh Hassan NasrallahHezbollah leader Send us your comments
While the demonstrations have had the good nature of a pop concert or festival, this is an extremely serious crisis for Lebanon, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Beirut.
International concern has been growing. On Saturday, UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier were in the Lebanese capital to express their support for the government.
Mr Siniora has vowed to stand firm against a protest movement he has called an attempted coup.
The US has denounced "threats of intimidation violence" in Lebanon and accused Syria and Iran of instigating the protests.
The government came to office last year in the first election after the withdrawal of Syrian troops originally stationed in Lebanon during the civil war.
Syria was forced to withdraw its forces after massive protests and international pressure, triggered by the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.Syria was forced to withdraw its forces after massive protests and international pressure, triggered by the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.