Lebanese troops have continued their assault on the perimeter of a Palestinian refugee camp, demanding the surrender of Islamist militants inside.
Lebanese troops have continued their assault on the perimeter of a Palestinian refugee camp, demanding the surrender of Islamist militants inside.
The army said it was "tightening the ring" around the Nahr el-Bared camp in Tripoli and had destroyed many of the militants' sniper posts.
The army said it was "tightening the ring" around the Nahr al-Bared camp near Tripoli and had destroyed many of the militants' sniper posts.
Four soldiers are among 16 people dead from clashes on Friday and overnight.
Four soldiers are among 16 people dead from clashes on Friday and overnight.
The 13-day confrontation between troops and militants has killed more than 100 people, many of them civilians.
The 13-day confrontation between troops and militants has killed more than 100 people, many of them civilians.
Aid agencies have voiced fears for the safety of civilians, as artillery fire targets the camp.
Aid agencies have voiced fears for the safety of civilians, as artillery fire targets the camp.
The UN says about 25,000 of the camp's 31,000 original residents have fled.
The UN says about 25,000 of the camp's 31,000 original residents have fled.
Aid agencies have called for a ceasefire to allow more civilians to leave the camp.
Aid agencies have called for a ceasefire to allow more civilians to leave the camp.
'Green light'
'Green light'
The Lebanese army is trying to dislodge Fatah al-Islam militants who have been besieged in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp for 13 days.
The Lebanese army is trying to dislodge Fatah al-Islam militants who have been besieged in the refugee camp since 20 May.
The fighting has been concentrated on the edges of the camp near the southern and northern entrances.
The fighting has been concentrated on the edges of the camp near the southern and northern entrances.
Dozens of army tanks and armoured vehicles have moved up to the edge of the camp.
Dozens of army tanks and armoured vehicles have moved up to the edge of the camp.
Artillery and mortar fire has been hitting the camp and the army says it has seized several Fatah al-Islam positions.
Artillery and mortar fire has been hitting the camp and the army says it has seized several Fatah al-Islam positions.
The militants are reported to have moved deeper into the camp, a maze of concrete buildings and narrow alleyways.
The militants are reported to have moved deeper into the camp, a maze of concrete buildings and narrow alleyways. The army said some of the militants were using civilians as human shields and called on the militants to surrender.
The army said some of the militants were using civilians as human shields and called on the militants to surrender.
The Lebanese minister of state for parliamentary affairs, Michel Faraoun, told the BBC that the government had given the military a "green light" to deal with the militants.
The Lebanese minister of state for parliamentary affairs, Michel Faraoun, told the BBC that the government had given the military a "green light" to deal with the militants.
He also said that mainstream Palestinian groups were backing the government's action against the Fatah al-Islam militants.
He also said that mainstream Palestinian groups were backing the government's action against the Fatah al-Islam militants.
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.
Thousands of people have already fled the camp for shelter nearby
Thousands of people have already fled the camp for shelter nearbyThe charges were related to the deaths of soldiers and civilians. If convicted, the suspects could face the death sentence.
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.
