LOC11:55
08:55 GMT
BEIRUT, May 16 (KUNA) -- Night-long sporadic clashes between warring
militias in the northern city of Tripoli escalated after day-break and the
foes dueled with various guns paralyzing civilians' movement in some sectors
in Lebanon's second largest city.
The fighting raged with automatic guns, shells and rockets between the
districts of Baal Mohsen, inhabited mainly by members of the Alawite sect, and
the opposite Bab Al-Tebbaneh, a hotbed for followers of Al-Mustaqbal movement
of ex-premier Saad Al-Hariri and allied fundamentalists, according to security
sources.
A child was killed and several people were wounded in the stepped-up
violence, the sources said.
Lebanese Army troops, recently deployed at the flashpoints to quell the
violence, had to get engaged, firing at sources of sniper fire. The regulars
cut off roads leading to the fighting spots.
The fighting that broke out on Saturday has claimed lives of nine people
and wounded scores others. (end)
oh.rk
KUNA 171155 May 12NNNN