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Last update - 12:21 26/07/2008 Lebanese factions clash in north for second day, as death toll rises to eight By Reuters Tags: Fouad Siniora, Lebanon  Rival sectarian factions clashed in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli on Saturday for a second consecutive day and medical sources said the death toll from the fighting rose to eight. Gunmen exchanged heavy machinegun and grenade fire from Sunni and Alawite districts until dawn in the city where at least 21 people have been killed in the past two months by sectarian fighting linked to Lebanon's political turbulence. The latest round of fighting in the predominantly Sunni city had wounded at least 65 people, the medical sources said. Residents have fled, many taking refuge in schools. Advertisement The interior minister promised firm action to halt the latest clashes. The dead included a woman, a boy and a man who was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade while driving his taxi. Observers have linked bouts of violence in Tripoli since late June to lingering disputes between the Sunni-led parliamentary majority bloc and a rival alliance led by Shi'ite Hezbollah, which is close to Alawite groups in the north. The sides' protracted political conflict was largely resolved in May by a Qatari-mediated deal. But disputes have continued. The rivals are now at odds over the policy statement of a national unity government which was finally formed on July 11 after weeks of wrangling over portfolios. Language in the policy statement regarding Hezbollah's guerrilla army is the main area of disagreement. Hezbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran, used its arsenal in May to briefly seize Beirut and rout supporters of the anti-Damascus majority bloc. The move helped Hezbollah impose the opposition's terms for a settlement with rivals including Sunni politician Saad al-Hariri - a strong opponent of Syrian influence in Lebanon who has wide influence in Tripoli. The Alawite faith is a small offshoot of Shi'ite Islam and its adherents are mostly based in Syria which is ruled by President Bashar al-Assad, himself an Alawite. Their numbers are small in Lebanon but they gained some political influence during an era of Syrian dominance that came to an end in 2005 after international pressure forced Damascus to withdraw troops from the country. Related articles: Iran convoy attacked reportedly while taking arms to Hezbollah Syria buries dozens of guerillas returned in Hezbollah prisoner swap Lebanon forms unity gov't which gives Hezbollah veto power Bookmark to del.icio.us   Internal fighting Human rights groups say torture is widespread in Palestinian lockups. Danger looms Pentagon chief Robert Gates warns: War with Iran would be 'disastrous.'   1.   Truly the Religion of Peace 11:51  |  H 26/07/08   2.   MOSSAD IS BEHIND THIS 11:56  |  indrajaya 26/07/08   3.   #2 indra is closely watching these conflics!! 12:33  |  Jacob 26/07/08   4.   There is no civil authority in Lebanon now. 12:35  |  Jean Van Daem 26/07/08   5.   Indrajaya Learn The History 12:50  |  theplaintruth 26/07/08   6.   Indrajaya 12:56  |  H 26/07/08   7.   MOSSAD, I INSIST 13:27  |  indrajaya 26/07/08   8.   Good lesson for those who want binational state 13:33  |  x-ray 26/07/08   9.   Nasrallahstan is coming Lebanese beware 14:11  |  Israeli 26/07/08   10.   #1 Ind 14:42  |  Jeff 26/07/08   11.   Indrajaya u r right. Hooray! for the Mossad and how about 14:50  |  Jack be quick 26/07/08   12.   INDRAJAYA`S INTERPRETATIONS 14:53  |  Brant 26/07/08   13.   The Middle East is a crazy place 14:59  |  American Christian 26/07/08   14.   # 2 THE MOSSAD IS BEHIND THIS, LOL 15:19  |  Petra. 26/07/08   15.   Mandipantat indrajaya, forget Mossad. 16:13  |  Nick 26/07/08   16.   #2 and Mossad Theory 16:26  |  fadi 26/07/08   17.   Indrajaya: "there are reports" that Mossad did it 16:54  |  Richard S 26/07/08   18.   #7 Huh? 17:22  |  DesMnsDave 26/07/08   19.   Time for Sunnis to go 18:10  |  utagawa 26/07/08   20.   Let them believe 18:13  |  utagawa 26/07/08   21.   Petra 18:59  |  northern neighbor 26/07/08   22.   The trouble with islam and Indrajaya 19:34  |  David Israel 26/07/08   23.   2 indrajaya 20:08  |  alan 26/07/08   24.   Lebanon is a failed state that should not exist 20:21  |  Voice of Reason 26/07/08   25.   Prelude to civil war 20:43  |  Conroy 26/07/08   26.   #19 Utagawa you just capsulized the so-called "religion of peace" 21:03  |  Conroy 26/07/08   27.   Lebanese need liberation 21:05  |  Brod 26/07/08   28.   Indrajaya, Another Coincidence? 21:06  |  A. Shore 26/07/08   29.   Re Good lesson for those who want binational state 21:12  |  A. Shore 26/07/08   30.   To indrajay#2-no coincidence-just islam! 21:51  |  Arie 26/07/08   31.   A.Shore 22:38  |  x-ray 26/07/08   32.   islam is as islam does 03:16  |  Adrian de Klerk 27/07/08   33.   Just an idea 02:45  |  Walid 29/07/08

Read & React Pentagon chief: War with Iran would be 'disastrous' Responses: 216 Israel agrees to move part of West Bank separation fence Responses: 141 Olmert: Living with 270,000 Arabs in Jerusalem means more terror Responses: 160 Syria envoy to U.S.: Israel has chance for peace with all Arabs Responses: 62 Rosner's Domain Lieberman seen as good veep choice (WTR) What American Jews believe (WTR) Barack Obama, the fashionable darling of the Israeli left The Lebanese are undercutting goodwill in Washington (WTR) More Headlines 22:46 Olmert: Living with 270,000 Arabs in Jerusalem means more terror 22:22 Public figures attempting Syria talks outside official track, says Olmert 02:49 Defense decision on E. Jerusalem terrorist home demolitions imminent 01:58 Uzi Dayan joins Likud, says Netanyahu a worthy partner in battle against corruption 00:27 Innocent bystander killed in drive-by shooting in Bat Yam 23:42 Jewish blogger tackles perceived shortcomings of Orthodox Judaism 23:01 New al-Qaida Web video urges Muslims to kill Saudi King 20:50 Rights groups say torture widespread in Palestinian jails 00:41 Body of IAF officer found in Laos river days after he went missing 14:51 Israel agrees to raze part of West Bank separation fence 18:14 Transport Min.: Israel `forgot` to invest in aviation safety 21:19 Father of bulldozer terrorist decries life as stateless East Jerusalem Palestinian 14:00 Syria envoy to U.S.: Israel has chance for peace with all Arabs 22:08 Threatened with dismissal, Shas ministers decide against no-confidence vote Previous Editions Select Day 28 jul 27 jul 25 jul 24 jul 23 jul 22 jul 21 jul 20 jul 18 jul 17 jul 16 jul 15 jul

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