An overnight curfew is keeping the streets clear in Beirut after a day of violence between supporters and opponents of Lebanon's government killed at least three people and injured dozens.
Witnesses say the streets of the Lebanese capital emptied when the curfew took hold Thursday night. Opposition Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah urged his followers to obey the curfew.
The fighting began in the cafeteria on the main campus of Beirut Arab University between pro-government Sunni Muslims and Shi'ites who back Hezbollah.
The violence spilled out on to the rest of the campus and into the streets. Lebanon's army was needed to restore order.
In Washington, a U.S. State Department spokesman (Sean McCormack) accused what he called "irresponsible parties," including Hezbollah backers Iran and Syria, of creating political tension in Lebanon which leads to violence. He said they have challenged the will of the Lebanese people for political and economic reform.
Meanwhile, governments at a Paris donors' conference Thursday pledged almost eight billion dollars for Lebanon. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she expects Lebanon to carry out economic reforms in return for the aid. French President Jacques Chirac said Lebanon needs international support "more than ever" after last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah that destroyed much of Lebanon's infrastructure.
Witnesses say the streets of the Lebanese capital emptied when the curfew took hold Thursday night. Opposition Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah urged his followers to obey the curfew.
The fighting began in the cafeteria on the main campus of Beirut Arab University between pro-government Sunni Muslims and Shi'ites who back Hezbollah.
The violence spilled out on to the rest of the campus and into the streets. Lebanon's army was needed to restore order.
In Washington, a U.S. State Department spokesman (Sean McCormack) accused what he called "irresponsible parties," including Hezbollah backers Iran and Syria, of creating political tension in Lebanon which leads to violence. He said they have challenged the will of the Lebanese people for political and economic reform.
Meanwhile, governments at a Paris donors' conference Thursday pledged almost eight billion dollars for Lebanon. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she expects Lebanon to carry out economic reforms in return for the aid. French President Jacques Chirac said Lebanon needs international support "more than ever" after last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah that destroyed much of Lebanon's infrastructure.