Lebanon

TANK deployments and deadly exchanges of fire turned Beirut into a war zone this week after a demonstration organised by Shia parties against the lead investigator into the deadly port blast turned violent, with at least six people killed.

Heavy fire rang a few blocks from the Palace of Justice, where hundreds of black-clad protesters had gathered moments earlier to demand Tarek Bitar’s removal.

The judge has been in the sights of the Hezbollah and Amal parties in particular for insisting on subpoenaing officials in his probe into the explosion in Beirut port last year.