At least four Lebanese troops died and six others were hurt in renewed fighting Friday with Islamic militants holed up in a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon, security officials said.
Lebanese troops unleashed artillery barrages into the besieged camp of Nahr el-Bared on the outskirts of the northern city of Tripoli on Friday as they intensified their assault against Fatah Islam gunmen. For nearly two hours, troops pounded with heavy artillery and tank fire suspected hideouts, security officials said.
Four soldiers were killed and six others were wounded during a clash, the officials said. According to the AP, the army's casualties apparently occurred during a raid on a suspected Fatah Islam hideout inside the camp.
The fighting between Lebanese troops and Fatah Islam militants has claimed more than 140 lives - 64 soldiers, at least 60 Fatah Islam militants and at least 20 civilians - since its outbreak last month.
