Heavy clashes erupted on Sunday between rival factions in the northern city of Tripoli, killing at least two people, an army official told AFP. The clashes in the Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen areas located on the northern edge of the city srarted around 4:15 am (0115 GMT), the official said.
According to him, at least 25 people were wounded.
Troops could be seen deploying in other parts of Tripoli Sunday for fear of the fighting spreading. Blasts and machinegun fire rocked the city as Sunni and Alawite gunmen battled on its outskirts.
Sunday's clashes were taking place amid stalled efforts by Prime Minister Fuad Saniora to form a new government of national unity.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was quoted Sunday as denying reports that the Hizbullah-led opposition has set a deadline to Saniora to form the new cabinet. The daily An Nahar quoted Berri as saying "we did not discuss deadlines." However, he added "it is the duty of the premier-designate to speed up efforts to form the new cabinet."
