Sunday, December 18, 2011

Clashes in Lebanon refugee camp, one killed

AIN EL-HILWEH, Lebanon (Reuters) - Sporadic clashes broke out between armed factions in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp Sunday after the bodyguard of an official there was killed, a witness and security officials said.

Fighters supporting the mainstream Fatah party clashed with gunmen suspected of belonging to extremist Islamist parties, shooting at each other and firing rocket propelled grenades in Ain el-Hilweh in southern Lebanon.

Palestinian refugees run for cover as Fatah members are deployed during clashes at Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp near the port city of Sidon in south Lebanon, December 18, 2011. REUTERS/ Ali Hashisho

Armed clashes are common in the camp, which houses 50,000 refugees, and militant Islamists are known to operate there.

Hostility had been running high in the camp as regional tensions rise. Many in Lebanon worry unrest may spill over the borders as violence increases in neighbouring Syria, where the army is cracking down on an anti-government revolt.

One witness said masked men suspected of being from the Islamist group Jund al-Sham fired at a group of Fatah fighters and officials. He saw fighters carry away a wounded civilian and a Fatah official shot in the shoulder.

(Reporting by Abdel-Halim al-Shihabi)

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Clashes in Lebanon refugee camp, one killed