Hezbollah gunmen seize control of western Beirut

BEIRUT: Shi'ite Hezbollah gunmen seized nearly all of the Lebanese capital's Muslim sector from Sunni foes loyal to the US-backed government on Friday following the country's worst sectarian clashes since the 1975-90 civil war.

At least 11 people have been killed and more than 20 wounded in three days of street battles and gunfights, security officials said.

The takeover presented a blow to US policy as President George W. Bush's administration has been a staunch supporter of the government in Beirut over the past three years.