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Thousands flee Lebanon violence Thousands flee Lebanon violence
(about 10 hours later)
Thousands of people are fleeing from a refugee camp in northern Lebanon which has seen three days of heavy fighting between troops and Islamist militants. Thousands of people have been fleeing from a refugee camp in northern Lebanon after three days of heavy fighting between troops and Islamist militants.
Palestinian residents of the Nahr al-Bared camp have been trapped as troops exchanged fire with Fatah al-Islam fighters holed up in the camp. Palestinian residents of the Nahr al-Bared camp were trapped as troops exchanged fire with Fatah al-Islam fighters holed up in the camp.
Witnesses say many are taking advantage of a lull in the fighting to leave. Witnesses said many took advantage of a lull in the fighting to leave.
Earlier an informal truce was declared, with the militants pledging to cease fire if the troops did the same. UN head of humanitarian affairs John Holmes appealed to the warring sides to allow aid supplies into the camp.
He said it was outrageous that a relief convoy had been forced to turn back after coming under fire on Tuesday.
There was a reduction in the fighting, although sporadic clashes were reported.There was a reduction in the fighting, although sporadic clashes were reported.
UN aid convoys entered the camp to deliver food and water, but one was forced to leave after shells exploded near its vehicles.UN aid convoys entered the camp to deliver food and water, but one was forced to leave after shells exploded near its vehicles.
'No power, no food''No power, no food'
Witnesses said that as the fighting lessened, a mass exodus began.Witnesses said that as the fighting lessened, a mass exodus began.
FATAH AL-ISLAM Split from Palestinian group Fatah al-Intifada in late 2006Believed to have 150-200 armed men, based in Nahr al-Bared campDenies al-Qaeda links but says it endorses its ideasHas links with Syrian intelligence, Lebanon saysLeader is Shaker al-Abssi In pictures: Lebanon clashes Profile: Fatah al-Islam Media: Pressure on LebanonFATAH AL-ISLAM Split from Palestinian group Fatah al-Intifada in late 2006Believed to have 150-200 armed men, based in Nahr al-Bared campDenies al-Qaeda links but says it endorses its ideasHas links with Syrian intelligence, Lebanon saysLeader is Shaker al-Abssi In pictures: Lebanon clashes Profile: Fatah al-Islam Media: Pressure on Lebanon
"Thousands of refugees - men, women and children - started fleeing on foot or by car from Nahr al-Bared camp from early evening to take shelter in the nearby Beddawi camp," Hajj Rifaat, a camp official, told the news agency AFP."Thousands of refugees - men, women and children - started fleeing on foot or by car from Nahr al-Bared camp from early evening to take shelter in the nearby Beddawi camp," Hajj Rifaat, a camp official, told the news agency AFP.
Vehicles crammed with up to 10 people were flying white flags as they left, Reuters news agency said.Vehicles crammed with up to 10 people were flying white flags as they left, Reuters news agency said.
Ashraf Abu Khorj, who lives inside the camp, told the BBC conditions there were dire.Ashraf Abu Khorj, who lives inside the camp, told the BBC conditions there were dire.
"Really really, the situation is so bad - no power, no food, no water," he said. "There is no hospital inside the camp. There are a lot of people injured, there are a lot of people dying.""Really really, the situation is so bad - no power, no food, no water," he said. "There is no hospital inside the camp. There are a lot of people injured, there are a lot of people dying."
Appeal for calmAppeal for calm
The fighting is the bloodiest internal conflict in Lebanon since the civil war ended 17 years ago.The fighting is the bloodiest internal conflict in Lebanon since the civil war ended 17 years ago.
Dozens of soldiers, militants and civilians have been killed in the clashes, which began on Sunday.Dozens of soldiers, militants and civilians have been killed in the clashes, which began on Sunday.
Eyewitness: Tripoli fighting Send us your commentsEyewitness: Tripoli fighting Send us your comments
The Lebanese government has pledged to root out the militants, who it says are being backed by Syria.The Lebanese government has pledged to root out the militants, who it says are being backed by Syria.
On Monday evening, the cabinet authorised the army to step up its efforts and "end the terrorist phenomenon that is alien to the values and nature of the Palestinian people".On Monday evening, the cabinet authorised the army to step up its efforts and "end the terrorist phenomenon that is alien to the values and nature of the Palestinian people".
The US State Department, meanwhile, said it was considering an urgent request from the Lebanese government for more military aid to help battle the militants.The US State Department, meanwhile, said it was considering an urgent request from the Lebanese government for more military aid to help battle the militants.
And in Beirut, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana met Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to discuss the fighting, appealing for calm and calling on the military to respect the safety of civilians.And in Beirut, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana met Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to discuss the fighting, appealing for calm and calling on the military to respect the safety of civilians.
Sunday's clashes erupted when security forces tried to arrest suspects in a bank robbery. Militants from Fatah al-Islam then attacked army posts at the entrances to the camp.Sunday's clashes erupted when security forces tried to arrest suspects in a bank robbery. Militants from Fatah al-Islam then attacked army posts at the entrances to the camp.
Lebanon is home to more than 350,000 Palestinian refugees, many of whom fled or left their homes when Israel was created in 1948.Lebanon is home to more than 350,000 Palestinian refugees, many of whom fled or left their homes when Israel was created in 1948.