Clashes erupt in northern Lebanon
22/06/2008| IslamWeb
One man has been killed and 10 people injured after fighting between rival Lebanese factions erupted in the northern city of Tripoli, army officials have said.
The clashes on Sunday between supporters of the country's Western-backed majority and the Hezbollah-led opposition forced the withdrawal of the Lebanese army from the area.
Zeina Khodr, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tripoli, said: "A man was shot in the head in his car by sniper fire.
"This is the worst fighting I have witnessed, there is sporadic gunfire, and the situation ... is very dangerous."
Troops have deployed to other parts of Tripoli amid fears the fighting could spread.
Fighting had previously occured in the Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen areas on the northern edge of the city in May.
Political stalemate
The violence took place amid stalled efforts by Fouad Siniora, the prime minister, to form a new government of national unity following a breakthrough deal last month to end a long-running crisis that had brought the country to the brink of civil war.
The deal, brokered in Doha, Qatar, led to the election of Michel Sleiman, the former army chief, as president.
Fighting had previously occured in the Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen areas on the northern edge of the city in May.
Political stalemate
The violence took place amid stalled efforts by Fouad Siniora, the prime minister, to form a new government of national unity following a breakthrough deal last month to end a long-running crisis that had brought the country to the brink of civil war.
The deal, brokered in Doha, Qatar, led to the election of Michel Sleiman, the former army chief, as president.
The accord also called for the formation of a cabinet in which the opposition will have veto power over key decisions as well as a new electoral law.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Heavy fighting was frequent in northern Lebanon prior to the Doha agreement
[AFP]
Al-Jazeera
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