This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-66354364

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Lebanon clashes: Nine killed at Palestinian refugee camp Lebanon clashes: Thousands flee violence at Palestinian refugee camp
(about 1 hour later)
A ceasefire has been agreed between rival factions after fighting at a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon left at least nine people dead. The UN says more than 2,000 people have been forced to flee violence between rival factions at a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon.
The clashes at the Ein el-Hilweh camp broke out between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement and Islamist groups. The clashes between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement and Islamist groups left 11 people dead, the UN says.
Among the dead was a Fatah commander, the movement confirmed. A ceasefire has now been agreed although gunfire was still being reported on Monday.
Established in 1948, the restive Ein el-Hilweh camp is the largest in Lebanon. Established in 1948, the Ein el-Hilweh camp is the largest in Lebanon.
The UN says it houses more than 63,000 registered refugees, but some estimates say the population is higher.The UN says it houses more than 63,000 registered refugees, but some estimates say the population is higher.
The camp, situated near the southern city of Sidon, falls outside the jurisdiction of the Lebanese security forces.The camp, situated near the southern city of Sidon, falls outside the jurisdiction of the Lebanese security forces.
It is left up to rival factions within the camp to maintain its security, but factional disputes are common.It is left up to rival factions within the camp to maintain its security, but factional disputes are common.
The weekend's violence erupted on Saturday when a member of an Islamist group was killed, AFP news agency reports, quoting an unnamed source inside the camp.The weekend's violence erupted on Saturday when a member of an Islamist group was killed, AFP news agency reports, quoting an unnamed source inside the camp.
Tensions continued to mount through to Sunday, culminating with the death of the Fatah commander, Ashraf al-Armouchi, and several of his aides. Tensions continued to mount through to Sunday, culminating with the death of a Fatah commander, Ashraf al-Armouchi, and several of his aides.
A ceasefire agreed on Sunday soon broke down, and heavy fighting was again reported on Monday with gun and anti-tank fire echoing through the camp.A ceasefire agreed on Sunday soon broke down, and heavy fighting was again reported on Monday with gun and anti-tank fire echoing through the camp.
Dozens of residents have fled their homes since the fighting began. More than 40 people were injured in the clashes, including a UN aid worker, and two schools were damaged, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said.
A second ceasefire agreed on Monday after a meeting with the local MP appears to have improved the situation, although there are still reports of some gunfire.A second ceasefire agreed on Monday after a meeting with the local MP appears to have improved the situation, although there are still reports of some gunfire.
The Palestinian presidency denounced the fighting, calling the security of the camps a "red line".The Palestinian presidency denounced the fighting, calling the security of the camps a "red line".
"It is not permissible for anyone to intimidate our people and tamper with their security," it said in a statement."It is not permissible for anyone to intimidate our people and tamper with their security," it said in a statement.
As well as the nine dead, Lebanese soldiers were also injured during the violence, the Lebanese army said.As well as the nine dead, Lebanese soldiers were also injured during the violence, the Lebanese army said.
The director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon (UNRWA), Dorothee Kraus, said all the agency's operations in the camp had been suspended. The director of the UNRWA in Lebanon, Dorothee Kraus, said all the agency's operations in the camp had been suspended.
She called on "all militant parties to ensure civilians' safety and respect inviolability of UN premises". She called on "all parties to immediately return to calm and take all measures necessary to protect civilians, including children".
More than 479,000 refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, the agency says. About half live in the country's 12 refugee camps, which have "dire" living conditions, it adds.More than 479,000 refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, the agency says. About half live in the country's 12 refugee camps, which have "dire" living conditions, it adds.
You may also be interested in:You may also be interested in:
Syrian refugees in Lebanon describe how living on aid is "eating us up inside"Syrian refugees in Lebanon describe how living on aid is "eating us up inside"
Syrian refugees in Lebanon describe how living on aid is "eating us up inside"Syrian refugees in Lebanon describe how living on aid is "eating us up inside"
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Middle EastMiddle East
LebanonLebanon
FatahFatah