Some residents fleed burning flats while others were escorted by emergency workers after deadly firefights in Beirut on Thursday.

Security forces were seen escorting people from blocks of apartments near the Chiyah area of central Beirut. The withdrawal of residents from the area took place amid ongoing gun fire. Six people have been confirmed as casualties from Thursday’s violence.

Demonstrations have been ongoing in recent days as protesters call for a judge to be recalled from the probe into last year's deadly explosion.

Hezbollah and the Shi'ite Amal movement called for the protests and are thought to be involved in the conflict with government forces.