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Beirut funeral for Shia protester Beirut funeral for Shia protester
(about 4 hours later)
The funeral of an anti-government protester is being held in Lebanon's capital, Beirut. Hundreds of people in Lebanon's capital Beirut have attended the funeral of an anti-government protester.
Ahmed Mahmoud, a Shia, was killed by an unknown gunman in a Sunni district after leaving an opposition protest. Ahmed Mahmoud, a Shia, was killed on Sunday by an unknown gunman in a Sunni district of Beirut after leaving an opposition demonstration.
Anti-government protests called by Islamist movement Hezbollah are now in their fifth day, with police reporting street clashes on the last two nights. Anti-government protests are now in their fifth day, with police reporting street clashes on the last two nights.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has condemned the killing and called for dialogue with opposition leaders.Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has condemned the killing and called for dialogue with opposition leaders.
'Martyr''Martyr'
Police were expecting large crowds for the funeral of Mr Mahmoud, 21, the first person killed since Hezbollah called for the protests. Hundreds of mourners marched with the funeral procession to a southern suburb of Beirut where Ahmed Mahmoud, 21, was buried.
He was shot dead in street clashes on Sunday in the Beirut district of Qasqas. Many more people lined the streets, watching the coffin being carried past.
His coffin was carried through the streets on Monday to cries of "martyr". Weeping women threw rose petals on the coffin of the young man who is being described by Lebanon's opposition as a martyr, says the BBC's correspondent in Beirut Kim Ghattas.
He is to buried in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold that was heavily damaged in Israel's bombardment in July and August.
Several shops were burnt in Sunday night's clashesThere were more clashes Monday night in another Sunni district, injuring two people, police said.
Mr Siniora said on Tuesday that the only solution to Lebanon's political impasse was dialogue.
"Otherwise our country will be a space for conflict for different factions and allies."
Observers say the clashes could provoke widespread inter-communal strife in a country that was brought to its knees by civil war in the 1970s and 1980s.
The commander of Lebanon's army has warned the government that the daily protests and clashes risk spiralling into sectarian strife, Associated Press news agency said.
Protest camp
Soldiers and armoured vehicles have taken up positions around the prime minister's office and other key government buildings in central Beirut.
Large anti-government protests have been held outside Mr Siniora's office every day since Friday with some demonstrators camping overnight.
Troops are on guard to stop political friction becoming sectarian strifeThe demonstrations have so far been peaceful, with the clashes taking place away from the protest site.
The anti-government protesters accuse Mr Siniora and his government 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
Mr Mahmoud was shot dead in clashes on Sunday in the Beirut district of Qasqas.
He is the first person to have died since the Shia militant and political movement Hezbollah and its allies called for anti-government protests to begin on Friday.
Mass protests have been held outside Mr Siniora's office every day since then, with some demonstrators camping overnight.
Hezbollah has said the protests will continue until the government steps down.Hezbollah has said the protests will continue until the government steps down.
But there is no sign that Mr Siniora, camped out in his office, is feeling the pressure, says our correspondent.
The government has continued its business, which includes support for a UN tribunal into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Veto demand
There are large numbers of soldiers and armoured vehicles in central Beirut guarding key government buildings including the prime minister's office.
The demonstrations have so far been peaceful, but Sunday and Monday saw clashes taking place away from the protest site.
There have daily anti-government protests outside the PM's officeThe opposition, led by Hezbollah with some prominent Christian allies, has been demanding an effective veto power in the government.
They say that with the resignation of several ministers last month, the government no longer represents Lebanon's diversity of communities.
Mr Siniora said on Tuesday that the only solution to Lebanon's political impasse was dialogue.
"Otherwise our country will be a space for conflict for different factions and allies."
The commander of Lebanon's army has warned the government that the daily protests and clashes risk spiralling into sectarian strife.
The current crisis was sparked last month when five Shia ministers and one Christian minister quit the government.The current crisis was sparked last month when five Shia ministers and one Christian minister quit the government.
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.
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.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.