Beirut violence: Live updates

That concludes our live coverage for today, follow us on Twitter on Facebook to keep up to date with the latest developments.

Lebanon's army has arrested nine people, including a Syrian, in connection to the violence.

بتاريخ ١٤ /١٠ /٢٠٢١ وأثناء توجّه عدد من المحتجين إلى منطقة العدلية للاعتصام، حصل اشكال وتبادل لإطلاق النار في منطقة الطيونة- بدارو، ما أدى إلى مقتل عدد من المواطنين وإصابة آخرين بجروح.#الجيش_اللبناني #LebaneseArmy https://t.co/5EuOof36FE

— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) October 14, 2021

Kuwait's embassy in Lebanon has urged Kuwaitis in the country to leave and has told those travelling to Lebanon to delay their plans.

pic.twitter.com/hTg9M3v8vD

— وزارة الخارجية (@MOFAKuwait) October 14, 2021

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said that those responsible for today's violence will be held accountable.

“It’s all chaos - it hurts everyone” - Read the latest on the ground from The New Arab's Lebanon correspondent: http://ow.ly/3Wwb50GrvIm

Lebanese PM Najib Mikati says the army have informed him that the security situation in Beirut has improved. Mikati said in a statement that Lebanon's elections will go ahead according to the constitutional dates, despite today's "discouraging" violence.

Footage captured by The New Arab's Lebanon correspondent during the clashes earlier today.

Exchange of gunfire in Amal neighbourhood following protest in front of Qadr al adaleh in Beirut pic.twitter.com/SL2NFmhSL5

— Will Christou (@will_christou) October 14, 2021

Hezbollah says gunmen were spread out in neighbourhoods and on top of buildings to snipe protesters.  The Shia paramilitary group has accused the Christian Lebanese Forces Party of having carried out the attacks.

The Lebanese Forces Party has issued a statement blaming the violence on Hezbollah incitement over the past few months against the Beirut probe judge. 

Judge Tarek Bitar has in recent days been in the sights of the Shia Hezbollah and Amal parties, particularly for insisting on subpoenaing top officials in his probe.

France has urged de-escalation in Lebanon following the deadly clashes that broke out in Beirut.

"France is deeply concerned over the recent hindering of the smooth running of the investigation... and the violence that has occurred in this context. France calls on all parties to bring about a de-escalation," the French foreign ministry said in a statement. Read more here.