It said police and army troops stepped in and dispersed the crowd.

The daily An Nahar, however, said a fistfight broke out when Marada gunmen tried to carry out a provocative raid on an LF position in Shekka.

It said Marada gunmen also set up a checkpoint on the Shekka seaside road, stopping motorists and searching cars. Pedestrians were also frisked, according to An Nahar.

It said heavy gunfire could be heard around 11:00 pm Wednesday before security forces intervened and returned the situation to normal.