Fighting broke out in Beirut on Wednesday and on Thursday, armed clashes between supporters of various political groups spread from the capital to other parts of the country, leaving at least 10 persons dead in Beirut and a number of persons injured. In the village of Saadnayel, in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, stray bullets injured five civilians, including a 12-year-old child.

The ICRC appeals to those engaged in the fighting to allow medical and humanitarian personnel to carry out their tasks and have unimpeded access to the wounded. Those personnel, as well as medical vehicles and facilities, must be protected against the effects of the violence.