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Lebanon clashes 'kill civilians' Lebanon clashes 'kill civilians'
(about 1 hour later)
New clashes between troops and Islamist militants at a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon have killed at least eight civilians, officials at the camp say.New clashes between troops and Islamist militants at a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon have killed at least eight civilians, officials at the camp say.
Lebanese troops and militants exchanged fire around the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in Tripoli, the focus of violence on Sunday that left 50 people dead.Lebanese troops and militants exchanged fire around the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in Tripoli, the focus of violence on Sunday that left 50 people dead.
Tanks shelled positions held by militants inside the camp, which houses thousands of Palestinian refugees.Tanks shelled positions held by militants inside the camp, which houses thousands of Palestinian refugees.
Officials inside the camp said that dozens of people had been wounded.Officials inside the camp said that dozens of people had been wounded.
'Shells hit houses''Shells hit houses'
On Sunday, more than 20 soldiers and 20 militants were killed, as well as an unconfirmed number of civilians, in clashes around the camp.On Sunday, more than 20 soldiers and 20 militants were killed, as well as an unconfirmed number of civilians, in clashes around the camp.
FATAH AL-ISLAM Split from Palestinian group Fatah al-Intifada in late 2006Based in Nahr al-Bared camp, led by Shaker al-AbssiDenies al-Qaeda links but says it endorses its ideasHas links with Syrian intelligence, Lebanon saysFour members arrested over February bus bombings Profile: Fatah al-Islam Media see Syrian hand Send us your comments FATAH AL-ISLAM Split from Palestinian group Fatah al-Intifada in late 2006Believed to have 150-200 armed men, based in Nahr al-Bared campDenies al-Qaeda links but says it endorses its ideasHas links with Syrian intelligence, Lebanon saysLeader is Shaker al-Abssi Profile: Fatah al-Islam Media see Syrian hand Send us your comments
It was Lebanon's bloodiest internal fighting since the country's civil war ended 17 years ago.It was Lebanon's bloodiest internal fighting since the country's civil war ended 17 years ago.
Sunday's clashes erupted when security forces tried to arrest suspects in a bank robbery. Militants from the Fatah al-Islam group then attacked army posts at the entrances to the camp.Sunday's clashes erupted when security forces tried to arrest suspects in a bank robbery. Militants from the Fatah al-Islam group then attacked army posts at the entrances to the camp.
After a day of fighting, the Lebanese army regained control of the camp's perimeter but clashes have continued for a second day.After a day of fighting, the Lebanese army regained control of the camp's perimeter but clashes have continued for a second day.
Troops have responded to grenade and gunfire from militants with tank and artillery fire.Troops have responded to grenade and gunfire from militants with tank and artillery fire.
Civilians are trapped inside the camp, which houses around 30,000 displaced Palestinians, and conditions are said to be getting worse.Civilians are trapped inside the camp, which houses around 30,000 displaced Palestinians, and conditions are said to be getting worse.
The Red Cross has evacuated a number of injured people from the camp but more wounded are believed to be inside.The Red Cross has evacuated a number of injured people from the camp but more wounded are believed to be inside.
"The army shells which hit several houses in Nahr al-Bared have killed nine civilian refugees and wounded more than 70 others," an official at the Palestinian Medical Centre in the camp told the French news agency AFP."The army shells which hit several houses in Nahr al-Bared have killed nine civilian refugees and wounded more than 70 others," an official at the Palestinian Medical Centre in the camp told the French news agency AFP.
Other Palestinian sources told Reuters news agency that the bombardment had killed eight civilians and wounded 20.Other Palestinian sources told Reuters news agency that the bombardment had killed eight civilians and wounded 20.
Civilian casualties have not been confirmed by the Lebanese authorities which, under a 38-year-old deal, are not allowed to go into the camp.Civilian casualties have not been confirmed by the Lebanese authorities which, under a 38-year-old deal, are not allowed to go into the camp.
But a Lebanese army officer told the Associated Press news agency that troops had been ordered to strike at any target that directed fire back at them.But a Lebanese army officer told the Associated Press news agency that troops had been ordered to strike at any target that directed fire back at them.
"Everything we know that they were present in has been targeted," he said."Everything we know that they were present in has been targeted," he said.
Splinter groupSplinter group
Lebanon is home to more than 350,000 Palestinian refugees, many of whom fled or left their homes when Israel was created in 1948.Lebanon is home to more than 350,000 Palestinian refugees, many of whom fled or left their homes when Israel was created in 1948.
More Lebanese troops were brought in as the fighting developedMore Lebanese troops were brought in as the fighting developed
The Nahr al-Bared camp has been under scrutiny since two bus bombings in a Christian area of Beirut in February, blamed on al-Fatah Islam militants based in the camp.The Nahr al-Bared camp has been under scrutiny since two bus bombings in a Christian area of Beirut in February, blamed on al-Fatah Islam militants based in the camp.
Fatah al-Islam is a radical Palestinian splinter group alleged to have links with al-Qaeda. Lebanese officials also believe it has ties to Syrian intelligence. Other Palestinian groups have distanced themselves from Fatah al-Islam.Fatah al-Islam is a radical Palestinian splinter group alleged to have links with al-Qaeda. Lebanese officials also believe it has ties to Syrian intelligence. Other Palestinian groups have distanced themselves from Fatah al-Islam.
Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said that militants killed on Sunday included "key leaders who have carried out and have been planning to carry out large attacks".Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said that militants killed on Sunday included "key leaders who have carried out and have been planning to carry out large attacks".
One of the dead militants was wanted in Germany over an unsuccessful plot to blow up trains last July, Lebanese security officials said. Lebanese media described some of the dead as foreign fighters.One of the dead militants was wanted in Germany over an unsuccessful plot to blow up trains last July, Lebanese security officials said. Lebanese media described some of the dead as foreign fighters.
There are rival theories about what lies behind the latest violence, says the BBC's Roger Hardy.There are rival theories about what lies behind the latest violence, says the BBC's Roger Hardy.
Government ministers suspect Syria is behind the violence, with the aim of destabilising the country. Others see a quite separate radical Islamist agenda, our correspondent says.Government ministers suspect Syria is behind the violence, with the aim of destabilising the country. Others see a quite separate radical Islamist agenda, our correspondent says.