AT LEAST two people were killed yesterday in bloody clashes in Lebanon between Hezbollah militants and supporters of the pro-western government.

Rioters attacked each other with sticks, stones and pieces of furniture on a university campus in the capital, Beirut. Armed men were seen firing into crowds of protesters.

Cars burned in the streets as armoured vehicles full of troops moved in to try to keep the sides apart. But the riot spread into the neighbourhood around Beirut Arab University as supporters of the two sides rushed to join in.

The fighting raged for three hours before dying down. A curfew was in place in the area last night and sporadic gunfire could still be heard.

Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran, have been battling for months to oust the government of prime minister Fuad Saniora.

Saniora's position was severely weakened by the massive Israeli attack on his country last summer. Tony Blair was accused of condoning Israel's actions.

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