Arraji is a member of the Reform and Change bloc that is headed by General Michel Aoun.

• A bomb was tossed at the Phalange party headquarters but no damages or injuries were reported
• The total number of people killed so far in Beirut as a result of the violence is 7 according to local reports
• Violent clashes escalated in the Corniche el Mazraa area and Hezbollah is using heavy arms included rockets in the fighting
• The Lebanese army has taken control of the Ras Al-Nabaa area. Several properties were reported damaged
• There were reports of armed elements surrounding the homes of a number of leaders in Beirut. No names were revealed
• Hezbollah's al Manar TV claimed that some supporters the Almustaqbal party have been fleeing the streets and leaving their arms behind. But this claim could not be independently verified
• Hezbollah's al Manar TV claimed that dozens of armed militia of the Almustaqbal have fled the al-Hamra. Again this claim could not be independently verified.
• Almustaqbal has completely denied the reports that its supporters have fled. Called the reports "lies and fabrications"
• Clashes were reported in the Sakiyet Al-Janzir in west Beirut area
• There were unconfirmed reports that Hezbollah is in complete control of all the major intersections of the western part of Beirut
• Sporadic fire continues but the sound of explosions has stopped
• There are unconfirmed reports that Hezbollah fighters attacked the Grand Serail, the seat of the Lebanese government and the same reports have indicated that that the ministers had left the Grand Serail to unknown destinations. It was not clear if the ministers left before or after the alleged Hezbollah attack. The majority has earlier warned that the government and the Grand Serail are a red line.

Picture: Cars burn during clashes between Hezbollah and pro-government supporters in a street in Beirut May 8, 2008. Poster of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora is in the background

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