Shootout at the University of Beirut

Four were shot dead in clashes between pro-government and anti-government activists and about 200 in violence broke out after a fight between students. The opposition accused the pro-government of the camp at the beginning of the riots, and 2 of the 4 students killed were Hezbollah members.

Opposition supporters said the shooters opened fire from the university’s balconies, injuring several people. Students said the clashes began with a squabble in a university cafeteria and escalated into a fight as young people moved in from Tariq al-Jadida .

They started throwing stones, burning tires, cars, breaking windshields in the midst of firing shots when the troops tried to disperse the crowd with warning shots into the air. There were reports of shootings and photographs of participating masked militants with pistols and assault rifles.

Hassan Nasrallah spoke on television and called for clearing the streets.

Saad Hariri called on his supporters to exercise restraint.

US Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman accused Syria of speaking on Alhurra .

Walid Jumblath said the shootout was provoked by order of Bashar al-Assad .