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Fighting in Mount Lebanon
Fighting has broken out between pro-and anti-government supporters in Lebanon's central mountains overlooking Beirut, security officials say. Echoes of explosions can be heard as far as Beirut. The clashes between US-backed pro-government gunmen of Druze leader Walid Jumblatt and opposition supporters started in the village of Aytat around 2 p.m. (1100 gmt) Sunday. They involve exchanges of rocket and machine gun fire.There were no immediate reports of casualties. Jumblatt militiamen were seen carrying their guns and heading to the area, DPA quoted witnesses as saying. Jumblatt and his rival Druze leaders in Mount Lebanon, Waam Wahab and Talal Arslan, have called on the army to intervene in order to end the clashes. Arslan has also announced that the current fighting in Mount Lebanon is not related to Hezbollah forces.
Meanwhile, a Press TV correspondent in the area said it apears that Jumbalatt has lost control over its forces. He added that the Lebanese army is trying to control the region. Forces Loyal to Jumbalatt have reportedly attacked army forces who try to restore peace and calm in the area. Tensions eased in Beirut on Saturday after the army revoked two government controversial measures which had sparked four days of unrest in the capital. The new clashes between the two sides, however, erupted after Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, a close ally of Jumblatt, predicted that tensions will continue in the country. "The situation in Lebanon will deteriorate and this condition will continue until Hezbollah is defeated and the war that the group is spearheading ends," Geagea said in an interview with al Arabia on Saturday. Posted by: Fred 2008-05-12 |
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