8 killed in Lebanon riots

Riots in Beirut have killed eight people more than 20 others are injured. Hundreds of Shiite Muslims, angry over electricity rationing, blocked some major roads, forcing Lebanese troops to intervene.

Hundreds of opposition supporters also blocked the road leading to the capital''s airport as well as a thoroughfare in western Beirut.

The riots broke out Sunday afternoon when some 50 opposition supporters set tires on fire closing a major intersection linking different areas of Beirut.

Troops fired into the air to disperse the crowd.

Later in the day, hundreds of opposition supporters also blocked the road leading to the capital's airport as well as a thoroughfare in western Beirut.

Dozens of protesters gathered again after sunset and set tires on fire as troops watched from a distance.

The violence spiraled after an activist from the opposition Amal movement was shot dead.

The Amal group issued a statement urging its supporters to be calm.