Iranian-backed Hezbollah tightened its grip on Beirut airport on Thursday, piling pressure on Lebanon's U.S.-backed government on the second day of a protest campaign that has triggered gunbattles in the capital.
Supporters of Hezbollah and its allies blocked all roads leading to the airport -Lebanon's only air link to the outside world - and other main streets, paralysing much of the city.
Middle East Airlines, the national carrier, suspended all departures for 12 hours until midday (0900 GMT) to "await positive developments".
Sporadic gunbattles erupted between Hezbollah supporters and pro-government loyalists on Wednesday, escalating the country's worst internal crisis since the 1975-90 civil war. Scores of gunmen from both sides were seen in several areas.
"Beirut relives the chapters of sectarian and militia horror," the pro-government An-Nahar newspaper said on its front-page on Thursday. "Lebanon in the mouth of the dragon," said the pro-opposition al-Akhbar newspaper.
An opposition source, declining to be named, said protests would go on until the government rescinded decisions affecting Hezbollah, including action against a telecommunications network operated by the group. Government sources ruled that out.
Hezbollah, a Shi'ite Muslim group backed by Iran and Syria, has led a 17-month-long political campaign against Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's anti-Syrian cabinet. Friction has already led to bouts of deadly violence.
The group was the only Lebanese faction allowed to keep its weapons after the civil war to fight Israeli forces occupying the south. Israel withdrew in 2000 and the fate of Hezbollah's weapons is at the heart of the political crisis.
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