Beirut calm after one killed in violent clashes

Calm returned to the suburbs of the Lebanese capital Monday as intensive diplomatic efforts continued in a bid to prevent further escalation of political tensions after a man was killed in clashes between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims. Traffic was closed in central Beirut, Lebanon's capital, as the sit-in protest by supporters of the Shi'ite Muslim Hizbullah and its allies entered its fourth day Monday in bid to bring down the government. Soldiers and police, backed by tanks and armored vehicles continued to surround government headquarters in a protective cordon.