(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-28 06:44

BEIRUT - Gunfire between Lebanese troops and protestors broke out again in south Beirut after deadly clashes claimed seven lives on Sunday, local New TV reported.

Lebanese Shi'ite Muslims burn tyres during a protest in the Beirut suburbs January 27, 2008. An activist from the Lebanese Shi'ite Mulsim group Amal was killed in Beirut on Sunday when the army opened fire to break up a protest against power cuts, two Amal officials said. [Agencies]

The footage showed that Lebanese army raided a building in Mar Michail and heavy gunfire was heard. There was no report of casualties at this moment.

Meanwhile, demonstrators once again controlled the road in Mar Mikhail which they blocked earlier in the day by burning tires and cars, said the report.

The riots occurred after hundreds of Lebanese on earlier Sunday staged a demonstration in the capital over frequent power cuts.

The initial gunfight broke out when the Lebanese army tried to disperse protestors who were blocking traffic with burning tires in Mar Mikhail - Al Cheyah in the southern suburb of Beirut.

At around 4:00 p.m. (1400 GMT), some 50 demonstrators started burning tiers closing the road linking Mar Michael to Al Cheyah in protest against power cuts, chanting slogans against the government of Premier Fouad Seniora, local LBC TV reported.

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 November 24 of 2007 when former President Emile Lahoud stepped down.

A long-awaited parliamentary session to elect president has been postponed for a 13th time, from January 21 to February 11.

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.