Hizbullah Puts Pressure on Government Amid Gun Battles 
Shiite opposition group Hizbullah tightened its grip on Beirut Airport on Thursday, May 8, 2008, piling pressure on Lebanon's US-backed government on the second day of a protest campaign that has triggered gun battles in the capital. Sporadic gun battles erupted between Hizbullah supporters and pro-government loyalists on Wednesday. Scores of gunmen from both sides were seen in several areas. Wednesday's events quickly took on a sectarian tone with clashes in mixed Shiite and Sunni neighborhoods. At least 10 people were wounded.