Lebanon amnesty sparks violence

The bullet-scarred buildings are a reminder of past conflict

Armed clashes broke out in the Lebanese capital overnight after parliament granted an amnesty to a former warlord.

The clashes took place along the old Green Line which used to separate Christian East and Muslim West Beirut during the 1975-90 civil war.

Media reports say a Shia Muslim teenager was killed and 16 other people were injured in the clash.

Army units were deployed to the area and loudspeakers called for calm. Several people were arrested.

The violence began when sticks and rocks were used in fighting between members of the Shia Amal movement and supporters of former Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

Analysts say it is a worrying reminder of the dark days of Lebanon's civil war, which devastated the country and is estimated to have left more than 100,000 people dead.

Cabinet troubles

Meanwhile, Prime Minister-designate Fouad Siniora said he could announce the new Lebanese government later on Tuesday.

The afternoon started with celebrations for Geagea supporters

"We have reached agreement on a 24-member government," Mr Siniora said after consultations with President Emile Lahoud.

It has taken Mr Siniora a month to get to this stage, having failed to form a national unity government and a technocratic one.

On Friday, he said he would form a government from a broad spectrum of parties approved by the pro-Syrian Hezbollah-Amal alliance as well as the anti-Syrian bloc which holds a majority in parliament.

Newly-elected MPs used the first parliamentary session to vote for an amnesty for Mr Geagea, the only civil war militia leader to face charges over the conflict.