Region | Lebanon
Fierce fighting erupts between rival clans in northern Lebanon
At least three people were killed and 30 wounded on Sunday in sectarian clashes in Lebanon's second largest city Tripoli, security sources said.
- Agencies
- Published: 10:54 June 22, 2008
- Clashes were taking place amid stalled efforts by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora to form a new government of national unity following a breakthrough deal in May.
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Tripoli: At least three people were killed and 30 wounded on Sunday in sectarian clashes in Lebanon's second largest city Tripoli, security sources said.
Explosions and machinegun fire rocked the city as Sunni Muslim supporters of the government and Alawite gunmen close to the Hezbollah-led opposition battled on the outskirts of the mainly Sunni Muslim port.
Lebanese army units deployed in the area and tried to end the fighting and local leaders held talks to contain the conflict.
Dozens of families fled the scene of the clashes that tapered off after both sides agreed on a ceasefire, the sources said.
Several homes, shops and cars were damaged in the clashes that left the streets of the city largely deserted.
It was not immediately clear how the fighting began at dawn but tension has been high in recent weeks between the Sunni Bab Tibbaneh district and Alawite Jabal Mohsen.
Tripoli is dominated by the country's anti-Syrian Sunni-led majority coalition while a majority of Alawites maintain close ties to Syria, which is ruled by an Alawite.
Sunday's clashes were taking place amid stalled efforts by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora to form a new government of national unity following a breakthrough deal in May to end a long-running crisis that had brought the country to the brink of civil war.
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