Beirut - Security forces used tear gas and clubs to disperse supporters of the exiled Christian leader Gen Michel Aoun who were protesting against the barring of a live television interview with the former army commander.
Witnesses said one person was wounded and at least 11 were detained. Some 400 riot police were deployed around the television station which the authorities had barred from broadcasting the interview.
Gen Aoun, a Maronite Christian, has lived in exile in France since 1991 after leading an attempt to drive Syrian forces from Lebanon. His units were crushed by the Syrians in Beirut in October 1990.
MTV television station had been scheduled to broadcast the interview but the Information Minister, Mr Bassem alSabaa, ordered the station not to broadcast it.
Mr Sabaa said his decision to bar the interview was taken to fulfil "requirements of national peace and reconciliation" and said it might damage Lebanon's relations with its allies, an apparent reference to Syria, the country's main power broker.