LOC21:49
18:49 GMT
BEIRUT, Aug 21 (KUNA) -- A Lebanese army sergeant was shot dead Tuesday in
the clashes with the Fatah Al-Islam terrorist gang, which has been barricading
themselves in a Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon.
The soldier died "while performing his military duties," a statement by the
Lebanese army said.
This death, along with three others in the last two days brought to 141 the
number of lives lost by the Lebanese army in the conflict, which entered its
fourth month Tuesday.
In a related development, the army approved a request by the terrorists to
let women and children leave the camp, which was besieged from all sides by
the military.
Most of the 40,000-strong population of the camp left it early in the
conflict, which erupted on May 20, 2007.
Less than 100 civilians, including the terrorists and their immediate
families remained behind after turning down a call by the military to spare
the lives of women and children.
The call for help to evacuate remaining women and children came from the
terrorists through Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hajj, who acted as their mediator with
the army. (pickup previous)
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