BRIEF: Fighting between Rival Factions in Northern Lebanon

TRIPOLI, Lebanon – Rival factions engaged in a gunfight in Shiraa Square in the Abu Samra neighborhood of Tripoli.  Members from the Islamic Unification Movement (IUM) and from the Tripoli Brigades exchanged automatic fire for about 30 minutes.  IUM is close to the pro-Syrian opposition while the Tripoli Brigades is linked to the anti-Syrian March 14 political coalition and leader Saad Hariri.

The fighting resulted in one death, allegedly the son of the leader of IUM, and six other injuries.  There are also unconfirmed reports of the death of a member of the Tripoli Brigades as well.

Fighting subsided when Lebanese Army troops arrived at the square.  Additional troops were deployed to the area and the police reports that relative calm has been restored.

For more information, please see:

AHN – Rival factions clash in Lebanon: 1 dead, 6 injured – 28 November 2007

BBC – Gunfight raises Lebanon tension – 28 November 2007

Reuters – Rival factions clash in North Lebanon, one dead – 28 November 2007