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Lebanon tense after new clashes Lebanon tense after new clashes
(about 3 hours later)
Fresh fighting has been reported overnight in mountains near Beirut as Hezbollah and forces of pro-government Druze leader of Walid Jumblatt clashed.Fresh fighting has been reported overnight in mountains near Beirut as Hezbollah and forces of pro-government Druze leader of Walid Jumblatt clashed.
However, the fighting later died down after an agreement that the army would be deployed in the Chouf mountain area.However, the fighting later died down after an agreement that the army would be deployed in the Chouf mountain area.
The opposition's campaign against the Western-backed government has prompted the Arab League to send a delegation.The opposition's campaign against the Western-backed government has prompted the Arab League to send a delegation.
At least 47 people have died in five days of violence. The BBC's Jim Muir says the country is gripped by fear.At least 47 people have died in five days of violence. The BBC's Jim Muir says the country is gripped by fear.
Eleven people died in the latest fighting in the mountain town of Chouweifat, the Associated Press reports, but details of casualties from other towns where clashes took place were not available.Eleven people died in the latest fighting in the mountain town of Chouweifat, the Associated Press reports, but details of casualties from other towns where clashes took place were not available.
TruceTruce
The fighting has pitched the Syrian-backed Shia Islamist movement Hezbollah and its allies against the governing Western-backed Sunni, Christian and Druze alliance.The fighting has pitched the Syrian-backed Shia Islamist movement Hezbollah and its allies against the governing Western-backed Sunni, Christian and Druze alliance.
Violence erupted after the government moved to shut down Hezbollah's telecoms network and remove the chief of security at Beirut airport for alleged sympathies with Hezbollah.Violence erupted after the government moved to shut down Hezbollah's telecoms network and remove the chief of security at Beirut airport for alleged sympathies with Hezbollah.
High stakes of Lebanon's crisisIn pictures: Battle for BeirutSend us your commentsHigh stakes of Lebanon's crisisIn pictures: Battle for BeirutSend us your comments
Four days of fighting saw Hezbollah storm west Beirut, taking large parts of the city. Clashes ended when Hezbollah agreed to hand over the areas it had taken to the army.Four days of fighting saw Hezbollah storm west Beirut, taking large parts of the city. Clashes ended when Hezbollah agreed to hand over the areas it had taken to the army.
The fighting then spread to the Chouf mountains and northern Tripoli.The fighting then spread to the Chouf mountains and northern Tripoli.
Control of several mountain settlements south-east of Beirut loyal to Walid Jumblatt was handed to the army after an attack by Hezbollah on Sunday. A truce was called after the Druze capitulated to avoid bloodshed.Control of several mountain settlements south-east of Beirut loyal to Walid Jumblatt was handed to the army after an attack by Hezbollah on Sunday. A truce was called after the Druze capitulated to avoid bloodshed.
But reports from the area said that columns of Hezbollah fighters attacked late at night from the eastern Beqaa valley, on the other side of the mountains.But reports from the area said that columns of Hezbollah fighters attacked late at night from the eastern Beqaa valley, on the other side of the mountains.
The army has begun deploying in those areas, which are reported to be generally quiet despite the tension.The army has begun deploying in those areas, which are reported to be generally quiet despite the tension.
Our correspondent says most Lebanese are wondering where the crisis goes from here.Our correspondent says most Lebanese are wondering where the crisis goes from here.
US destroyerUS destroyer
Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo have urged an immediate halt to the fighting in Lebanon and agreed to send a ministerial delegation to Beirut to try to mediate an end to the crisis.Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo have urged an immediate halt to the fighting in Lebanon and agreed to send a ministerial delegation to Beirut to try to mediate an end to the crisis.
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The BBC's Jeremy Bowen runs for cover as shots are fired at him and his crewThe BBC's Jeremy Bowen runs for cover as shots are fired at him and his crew
According to reports in some Lebanese papers, one proposal being discussed is the idea that the current Western-backed government should resign and had over to a military council.According to reports in some Lebanese papers, one proposal being discussed is the idea that the current Western-backed government should resign and had over to a military council.
The army has emerged as the only factor preventing a complete collapse, and it is generally agreed that its commander, Gen Michel Suleiman, should be the next president.The army has emerged as the only factor preventing a complete collapse, and it is generally agreed that its commander, Gen Michel Suleiman, should be the next president.
It has been reported also that the American guided missile destroyer the USS Cole has crossed back into the eastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.It has been reported also that the American guided missile destroyer the USS Cole has crossed back into the eastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.
Our correspondent says that prompted a warning from sources in the Hezbollah-led opposition that any hint of US intervention would lead the opposition to abandon the few red lines they have been observing in their campaign to undermine the government.Our correspondent says that prompted a warning from sources in the Hezbollah-led opposition that any hint of US intervention would lead the opposition to abandon the few red lines they have been observing in their campaign to undermine the government.
For the past 16 months, Lebanon has been locked in political stalemate between the ruling coalition and Hezbollah-led opposition over the make-up of the government.For the past 16 months, Lebanon has been locked in political stalemate between the ruling coalition and Hezbollah-led opposition over the make-up of the government.
The Arab League delegation agreed on in Cairo will be led by Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem.The Arab League delegation agreed on in Cairo will be led by Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem.
Ministers also decided to give what they describe as logistical support to the Lebanese army to help it maintain security.Ministers also decided to give what they describe as logistical support to the Lebanese army to help it maintain security.
An existing Arab League initiative aimed at facilitating the election of a Lebanese president has been deadlocked for months and Syria, a key Hezbollah ally, stayed away from Sunday's meeting.An existing Arab League initiative aimed at facilitating the election of a Lebanese president has been deadlocked for months and Syria, a key Hezbollah ally, stayed away from Sunday's meeting.
Lebanon was plunged into civil war from 1975-90, drawing in Syria and Israel, the two regional powers.Lebanon was plunged into civil war from 1975-90, drawing in Syria and Israel, the two regional powers.
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