Deadly clashes in Lebanon echo Syria conflict

Gun battles between rival groups in Lebanon have left a woman dead and more than 20 people injured in the latest spillover from the Syrian conflict.

Despite an army presence in the northern city of Tripoli, Sunni Muslims and Alawites exchanged fire overnight and continued into Tuesday.

Existing tensions have been heightened by the mainly Sunni uprising in Syria against Alawite President Assad.

“We are obliged to fight, to defend our children, our brothers and our own honour,” said one Sunni man, claiming the other side attacked first.

Violence has flared in Tripoli repeatedly in recent months as sectarian strife from Syria spills over the border. In early June, 15 people were killed.

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