Violence erupted in downtown Beirut yesterday as protesters tried to storm the offices of prime minister Najib Mikati after the funeral of an assassinated intelligence chief whose death they blame on Syria.

Lebanon’s defence minister today warned that any group breaking the ceasefire with Israel would be “decisively dealt with” and considered a traitor.

Pope Benedict XVI met with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora today amid continued violence in the Muslim world over the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.