(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-09 10:55

BEIRUT -- Fierce gunfire between pro and anti-government movements broke out Thursday in several districts in Beirut, local New TV reported.

Assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade were used during the clashes, which raged Msaitbeh, Mazraa, Ras Nabaa, Beshara Khoury districts of Beirut, said the report.

The fighting broke out between Hezbollah and majority leader MP Saad Hariri's Mustaqbal party, it said, adding that sirens of ambulances are heard in the streets of Beirut though there are no official reports of casualties yet.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese cabinet is holding an urgent meeting to discuss the escalating situation.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, who is also one of Lebanese majority leaders, called the government to declare a state of emergency.

Lebanon is currently facing the most serious political deadlock since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war. For the first time in its history, the presidential seat has been vacant since Nov. 24 of 2007 when former President Emile Lahoud stepped down.

The presidency deadlock deepened the Lebanese political crisis as fears are mounting that failure in reaching a deal on the presidential candidate could result in more violence in the country.