25 January 2011Last updated at 15:35

In pictures: Lebanon unrest

Onlookers watch as Lebanese troops advance along a road in the city

Lebanese troops have been deployed on the streets of Beirut and many other cities as thousands of people joined a "day of rage" to protest against the appointment of Najib Mikati as prime minister.

Lebanese Sunni Muslim protesters block streets in Beirut

The prospect of the appointment of Mr Mikati - who is backed by the Shia Islamist group Hezbollah and its allies - brought crowds of Lebanon's Sunni Muslims out onto the streets throughout Tuesday morning.

Angry Sunnis burn rubbish bins in Beirut at the start of a "day of rage"

As the army took control of some roads, groups of protesters set fire to tyres and rubbish bins, and established roadblocks.

An al-Jazeera TV van is burnt on the streets of Tripoli

Some vehicles were burnt as unrest spread, including this one belonging to the al-Jazeera TV network in the northern town of Tripoli.

A soldier puts out a fire in Sidon, Lebanon

Much of the unrest was ostensibly in support of outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri - who said he condemned all violence. Fires were lit all over Lebanon, including the southern town of Sidon.

A masked protester and burning tyres in Akkar, Lebanon

Mr Mikati was eventually appointed by Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman, even as the anger continued to spread. In the northern region of Akkar, burning tyres made for an apocalyptic scene.

Demonstrators carry flags and photos of outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Tripoli, Lebanon

Mr Mikati is not himself a member of Hezbollah, but a millionaire Sunni businessman. He maintains his independence from the movement. But for thousands of protesters his reliance on votes from the group was enough to bring them out onto the streets.

Middle East

In pictures: Lebanon unrest

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