Explosions and gunfire rang out across Beirut as opposition supporters held a one-day general strike calling for higher pay.

 

But the protests have become a show of force by Hezbollah against the government's moves to break up the group's communications infrastructure.

 

Lebanon's government has declared an extensive telecommunications network run by the powerful Shia opposition movement, Hezbollah, illegal. Hezbollah retorted warning that dismantling the network would serve Lebanon's enemies.