Clashes between Hizbullah and supporters of the Lebanese government continued on Thursday after Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the government had “declared war” by ruling that Hizbullah’s communications network was illegal.  Witnesses said the clashes were worse than the previous clashes. 

Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and explosions in several Muslim neighborhoods in the Lebanese capital.  Masked men fought in the streets, using grenades, automatic weapons, and small missiles. No casualty reports were available.  No fighting was reported in the Christian neighborhoods of eastern Beirut or in central Beirut, where most government offices are located.