The confrontations on the Ring Road were some of the worst since the start of protests The Lebanese protests entered their second month BEIRUT: A key road has reopened in the Lebanese capital following clashes throughout the night between rival groups. The confrontations began when protesters blocked the street and were attacked by supporters of the two main Shiite political parties, Hezbollah and Amal. Both sides threw stones at each other for hours as security forces formed a barrier separating them. Lebanon’s massive protests against corruption and mismanagement by the country’s political elite are now in their second month, but have so far remained largely peaceful. The confrontations on the Ring Road, which broke out late Sunday and dragged into Monday morning, were some of the worst since the nationwide demonstrations began on Oct. 17. Iran-backed Hezbollah says the protests are being exploited by foreign powers with an agenda against the group. Meanwhile, a business group representing much of Lebanon"s private sector called on Monday for a three-day general strike to press the country"s divided politicians to form a government and end the crisis that has brought the economy to a standstill. Despite the unprecedented nationwide protests, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri on Oct. 29 and a worsening economic crisis, deeply divided politicians have yet to agree on a new government.