Heavy fighting has resumed between the Lebanese army and Islamic militants entrenched in a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon.
Heavy fighting has resumed between the Lebanese army and Islamic militants entrenched in a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon.
Artillery shelling and machine-gun fire were reported as tanks massed outside the Nahr al-Bared camp in what may be the start of a final ground offensive.
Artillery shelling and machine-gun fire have been heard as tanks massed outside the Nahr al-Bared camp in what may be the start of a final ground offensive.
Thick plumes of black smoke rose from the camp where Fatah al-Islam militants are locked in a 13-day stand-off.
Thick plumes of black smoke rose from the camp where Fatah al-Islam militants have been locked in a 13-day stand-off.
More than 80 people have died in the fighting so far, including civilians.
More than 80 people have died in the fighting so far, including civilians.
The UN says about 25,000 people have fled the camp but some of the 31,000 residents remain trapped inside.
The UN says about 25,000 people have fled the camp but some of the 31,000 residents remain trapped inside.
'Green light'
The fighting is reported to be concentrated by the southern and northern entrances of the camp.
The fighting is reported to be concentrated by the southern and northern entrances of the camp.
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says it is still unclear if this is a limited military operation or whether the army is preparing to storm the area.
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says it is still unclear if this is a limited military operation to clear snipers from high ground or whether the army is preparing to storm the area.
A resident inside the camp told the Associated Press news agency that the army had over-run and destroyed some Fatah al-Islam positions.
The Lebanese army issued a statement saying militants inside the camp had been firing on its troops since early morning. The army said it was responding with precision bombardment of the militants' position and was doing its utmost to avoid civilian casualties.
The Lebanese army issued a statement saying militants inside the camp had been firing on its troops since early morning. The army said it was responding with precision bombardment of the militants' position and was doing its utmost to avoid civilian casualties.
The head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the main Palestinian organisation, also made a statement stressing that the army was doing its best to avoid civilian casualties.
The Lebanese minister of state for parliamentary affairs, Michel Faraoun, told the BBC that the military had been given a "green light" to deal with the militants.
Our correspondent says the statement apparently gave tacit approval to the military operation.
He also said that mainstream Palestinian groups were backing the government's action against the Fatah al-Islam militants.
"The Palestinian factions - traditional factions - today have clearly given also the green light to the Lebanese army, in view of the refusal of this gang - which is taking hostage the Palestinian civilians also - to either surrender or to even respect any ceasefire," Mr Faraoun said.
Terror charges
Terror charges
Members of Lebanon's anti-Syrian cabinet have described Fatah al-Islam as a tool of Syrian intelligence. Damascus denies any links to the group.
Members of Lebanon's anti-Syrian cabinet have described Fatah al-Islam as a tool of Syrian intelligence. Damascus denies any links to the group.
On Wednesday, a Lebanese military magistrate charged 20 captured members of the militant group with terrorism.
On Wednesday, a Lebanese military magistrate charged 20 captured members of the militant group with terrorism.
The charges were related to the deaths of soldiers and civilians. If convicted, the suspects could face the death sentence.
The Lebanese army says militants in the camp are firing on soldiers The charges were related to the deaths of soldiers and civilians. If convicted, the suspects could face the death sentence.
The militants say they will not surrender to what they call Zionist Americans and their loyalists.
The militants say they will not surrender to what they call Zionist Americans and their loyalists.
The fighting at the camp is the bloodiest internal conflict in Lebanon since the civil war ended 17 years ago.
The fighting at the camp is the bloodiest internal conflict in Lebanon since the civil war ended 17 years ago.
The violence began on 20 May after security forces raided a building in Tripoli to arrest suspects in a bank robbery. Fatah al-Islam militants then attacked army posts at the entrances to the camp.
The violence began on 20 May after security forces raided a building in Tripoli to arrest suspects in a bank robbery. Fatah al-Islam militants then attacked army posts at the entrances to the camp.
A large force of Lebanese troops hit back, bombarding the camp and storming a building on the outskirts of Tripoli.
A large force of Lebanese troops hit back, bombarding the camp and storming a building on the outskirts of Tripoli.
There are 12 Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon that were set up after the creation of Israel in 1948. Palestinian militants inside the camp carry weapons and the Lebanese army traditionally does not enter them.
There are 12 Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon that were set up after the creation of Israel in 1948. Palestinian militants inside the camp carry weapons and the Lebanese army traditionally does not enter them.
Are you from this part of Lebanon? Have you been caught up in the fighting? Send us your accounts of what's happening.
Are you from this part of Lebanon? Have you been caught up in the fighting? Send us your accounts of what's happening.
