By Xinhua
Beirut : Clashes broke out in Beirut on Saturday night between supporters from rival political camps, leaving 14 people injured, local New TV reported.
The TV footage showed that knives, stones and rods were used in the dispute, broken glasses were spread in the areas of Ras Al Nabeh and Bourj Abi Haidae in the western side of Beirut, as shops and buildings were set ablaze in the area.
The Lebanese army intervened and fired into the air to separate the two sides, but they were both chanting against each other.
Prior reports said that the fighting involved supporters of ruling majority leader Saad Hariri and rivals in the opposition Shiite movement Amal. But the official National News Agency reported that Amal denies any of its supporters were involved in the violence.
Similar clashes have been taking place almost every night between pro-government Sunni supporters and opposition supporters in the western part of Beirut.
The situation in Lebanon has been highly tense as conflict between the government and the opposition reached a deadlock.
Lebanon has been without a president since Nov. 24, 2007, when ex-President Emile Lahoud stepped down.
Lebanese pro and anti-government camps have agreed in principle to elect Michel Suleiman to replace Emile Lahoud, but are still divided on how to amend the constitution to allow for his election, as well as on the shape and policies of the future government.