Fighting resumes in Beirut; pro-government TV stations forced off air

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) - Sectarian fighting rocked the Lebanese capital for a third day Friday, with small arms, machine-gun and rocket-propelled-grenade fire echoing through the streets.

At least five people have been killed and 36 wounded in the clashes since Wednesday, according to Lebanese Internal Security Forces.

The renewed fighting came as two pro-government television stations - Future TV and al-Ekhbariya TV - ceased operations Friday.

They went off the air after being threatened by government opponents in Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim militia, and Amal, a major Shiite party in Lebanon, according to Imad Assi, head of news at Future TV.