BEIRUT — Lebanese politicians have denounced the rash of celebratory gunfire during a speech by the leader of the militant group Hezbollah and called for the prosecution of those responsible. On Friday afternoon the capital, Beirut, experienced particularly intense gunfire and several loud explosions before and during a speech by Hassan Nasrallah. It is common in Lebanon for supporters of political groups to celebrate with gunfire whenever their leaders give speeches. “Regrettably this is an uncivilized phenomenon that is widespread in Lebanon,” police spokesman Lt. Col. Joseph Msalem told The Associated Press by telephone. No casualties were reported but stray bullets damaged some cars, and several senior political figures called for a crackdown on the practice. “The streets of Beirut were turned yesterday afternoon into fields of fear,” said former Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, a strong critic of Hezbollah, said prosecutors should identify and charge any of the group's supporters who opened fire. Msalem called on residents who have photos or videos of people shooting in the air to post them on social media in order to help security forces identify the shooters and make arrests. Politicians usually distance themselves from the practice and Nasrallah himself has in the past urged Hezbollah supporters not to open fire saying it could hurt people. — AP
