Lebanese Army Intervenes in Clashes Between Rivals

Sunni supporters of the Western backed government and Shi'ite supporters of Hizbollah clashed for two days. The fighting ended when the Lebanese army threatened to intervene and use violence if necessary. AFP

Things are only gonna get worse before they get better. It's a shame too, I heard they have great parties in Beirut.

TRIPOLI, Lebanon (AFP) — Army and police moved into areas of north Lebanon on Monday where two days of fierce sectarian battles killed eight people, threatening to derail an accord to end the country's political crisis.

The military threatened to use force to end the fighting that erupted on Sunday in the densely populated Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen districts of the port city of Tripoli.

At least eight people were killed and 45 wounded as fighters traded heavy machine-gun fire, mortar rounds and rocket-propelled grenades, prompting residents to flee or take to underground shelters.

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But the initial euphoria that greeted Sleiman's election has been replaced by a growing sense of foreboding as rival factions continue to bicker over the distribution of key portfolios in the new government.

The Doha accord calls for the opposition to have veto power over key decisions in the unity cabinet and the drafting of a new electoral law ahead of legislative elections due next year.

Violence has erupted in various parts of the country in recent days between supporters of the ruling majority and opposition militants.