Sunnis, Shiites Clash for a Second Day in Lebanon

     

BEIRUT- AP — Shiite supporters of Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Sunni supporters of Lebanon’s U.S.-backed government have clashed for a second straight day as the sectarian confrontations in Beirut spread to other parts of the country.

The rival sides exchanged gunfire in the village of Saadnayel in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley Thursday. There was no immediate word on casualties. On Wednesday, Lebanon’s long-simmering political crisis exploded into violence between supporters of the Hezbollah-led opposition and the government.

In Beirut, residents awoke Thursday to a new reality of fresh demarcation lines, burning tires and roadblocks.

The road to the nation’s only airport remained closed for a second straight day.