One person was killed and six people were wounded in a clash between two rival factions in Lebanese northern city of Tripoli on Tuesday, local Naharnet news website reported.
The 30-minute firefight, in which assault rifles were used, pitted the Islamic Unification Movement (IUM) against the Tripoli Brigades in the town's Shiraa Square of Abu Samra district, a police spokesman was quoted as saying.
Police patrols and army units intervened and brought the clash to an end, he added.
The IUM is a local Sunni faction that supports the Lebanese pro-Syrian opposition bloc, while the Tripoli Brigades is a local faction that supports the anti-Syrian March 14 majority alliance.
Army units and police patrols cordoned off Shiraa Square pending surrender of "all gunmen involved in the clash," said the report.
The army has been entrusted with the task of maintaining law and order since former President Emile Lahoud ended his term in office at midnight last Friday after parliament failed to elect a successor, which left a presidential vacuum in the country.
Lebanese ruling coalition and the opposition have been separated by a wide chasm since six of the latter's ministers resigned from Premier Fouad Seniora's government last November.
After five times of postponement, Lebanese Parliament was due to convene on Friday to elect a new president, but the March 14majority coalition and pro-Syrian opposition are still at odds on a consensus nominee.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article