TRIPOLI, Lebanon - Two people were killed, including a policeman, and at least 33 others wounded in northern Lebanon on Sunday during clashes between armed opponents and supporters of the parliamentary majority.The fighting began at 4:15 am (0115 GMT) in Bab Al Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, northern districts of Tripoli, a security official told AFP. He said pro-majority Sunni militants fought with a group of Alawites, a dissident branch of Shiism which however supports the Shia Hezbollah opposition movement. The fighting spread to Al Qobbe where an AFP correspondent said families were seen fleeing the area.
At least 27 people were wounded in Bab Al Tebbaneh and Al Qobbe and were taken to the Islamic Hospital of Tripoli, a security official said. One had a severe wound to the head. At least six people wounded in Jabal Mohsen were trapped by the fighting and could not be taken immediately to hospital. According to a security official, many of those wounded were caught in the crossfire and hit by stray bullets while inside their homes.
Bab Al Tebbaneh and Al Qobbe are mainly Sunni districts while residents of Jabal Mohsen are predominantly Alawite.
A military spokesman told AFP that ‘the army is still deployed in the zone which separates the two sides and has not altered its position.
‘The fighting has eased in intensity and we are working to contain it,’ the spokesman added. But armed militiamen could still be seen on street corners leading to Bab Al Tebbaneh.