Dozens of Lebanese army tanks and armoured carriers today pushed forward under the cover of artillery barrages against Islamic militants barricaded in a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon.

Under the cover of artillery barrages, dozens of Lebanese army tanks and armoured carriers today moved against Islamic militants barricaded in a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon.

Hezbollah-led protesters burned tyres and cars and clashed with government supporters, paralysing Beirut and areas across Lebanon in the worst violence yet in the pro-Iranian group’s campaign to topple US-backed Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.

Thousands of opposition protesters blocked roads with burning tyres, debris and blazing cars around the Lebanese capital of Beirut and outlying regions of Lebanon today in a bid to enforce a general strike aimed at toppling Prime Minister Fuad Saniora’s government.

Lebanon’s deepening political crisis worsened today, with ministers in the anti-Syrian government fearing for their lives after an assassination of one of their own, businesses on strike and all sides ignoring calls for a negotiated resolution.