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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Protesters barricade Beirut roads | Protesters barricade Beirut roads |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Thousands of Lebanese demonstrators have blocked major roads in and around the capital Beirut at the start of a general strike. | |
| The Hezbollah-led opposition called the action as part of a continuing campaign to force the resignation of the government. | |
| Witnesses said the protesters burned tyres and piled up stones to block the roads and prevent anyone going to work. | Witnesses said the protesters burned tyres and piled up stones to block the roads and prevent anyone going to work. |
| The government had warned troops might be used to maintain order. | The government had warned troops might be used to maintain order. |
| Protesters turned out early on Tuesday to cut off several streets in central Beirut, witnesses said. | Protesters turned out early on Tuesday to cut off several streets in central Beirut, witnesses said. |
| The only road leading to Beirut's international airport was blocked, as were several main roads connecting the capital with other towns. | |
| Plumes of smoke from burning tyres formed a black cloud over the city. | Plumes of smoke from burning tyres formed a black cloud over the city. |
| class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6289547.stm">In pictures: Beirut protests | |
| Formations of security forces were standing by, the BBC's Jim Muir in Lebanon says. | Formations of security forces were standing by, the BBC's Jim Muir in Lebanon says. |
| The government has said they will keep the roads open, but so far, there has been little action taken, our correspondent says. | The government has said they will keep the roads open, but so far, there has been little action taken, our correspondent says. |
| At least three of the protesters were reported to have been wounded by gunfire when they tried to close the roads at Byblos, a mainly Christian port town in the north. | |
| Demonstrators say they will keep up their protests until they achieve their aims. | Demonstrators say they will keep up their protests until they achieve their aims. |
| Hezbollah wants the formation of a national unity government in which it and its allies have a big enough share to carry a veto. | Hezbollah wants the formation of a national unity government in which it and its allies have a big enough share to carry a veto. |
| Since 1 December, they have been besieging the main government building in Beirut. | Since 1 December, they have been besieging the main government building in Beirut. |
| So far, their tactics have not had the desired effect so they have decided to try to step up the pressure by calling this general strike, our correspondent says. | So far, their tactics have not had the desired effect so they have decided to try to step up the pressure by calling this general strike, our correspondent says. |
| Uncertainty | Uncertainty |
| He says the strike call has pitched the country into a highly uncertain and very tense situation, with many unknown factors, not least whether this action will be open-ended or limited to one day. | He says the strike call has pitched the country into a highly uncertain and very tense situation, with many unknown factors, not least whether this action will be open-ended or limited to one day. |
| Prime Minister Fouad Siniora says the army and security forces will take steps to ensure the roads stay open so people who want to go to work can do so. | Prime Minister Fouad Siniora says the army and security forces will take steps to ensure the roads stay open so people who want to go to work can do so. |
| With the government strongly urging people to go about their business as usual, there is no doubt this will be a trial of strength, our correspondent says. | With the government strongly urging people to go about their business as usual, there is no doubt this will be a trial of strength, our correspondent says. |
| It comes at a particularly damaging time for the government, as potential donors gather in Paris for a major aid conference on Thursday to help get Lebanon back on its feet after last summer's Hezbollah-Israel war. | It comes at a particularly damaging time for the government, as potential donors gather in Paris for a major aid conference on Thursday to help get Lebanon back on its feet after last summer's Hezbollah-Israel war. |
| Sectarian divide | Sectarian divide |
| The contest over the strike has strong sectarian overtones, our correspondent says. | The contest over the strike has strong sectarian overtones, our correspondent says. |
| It is almost certain to be observed in Shia areas, as it is supported by the two big Shia factions - Hezbollah and its mainstream ally, Amal. | It is almost certain to be observed in Shia areas, as it is supported by the two big Shia factions - Hezbollah and its mainstream ally, Amal. |
| The Sunnis and Druze largely support the government, so their regions are unlikely to take part. | The Sunnis and Druze largely support the government, so their regions are unlikely to take part. |
| But there will be confusion in mixed areas, and among the Christian community. | But there will be confusion in mixed areas, and among the Christian community. |
| Michel Aoun and several other Christian factions support Hezbollah and the opposition, while other Christian groups back the government. | Michel Aoun and several other Christian factions support Hezbollah and the opposition, while other Christian groups back the government. |