More Violence Strikes Northern Lebanon

Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - Just as Arab foreign ministers plan to meet in Egypt on Sunday to discuss the violence in Lebanon, fighting broke out in northern areas of that country. The clashes were between opposition forces and supporters of the American-backed government of Prime Minster Fouad Siniora.

The ongoing violence in Lebanon has sparked concerns that all-out civil war between the government and the opposition is looming, despite Hezbollah withdrawing its troops from West Beirut and handing power back to the Lebanese Army. At least one woman was killed in the clashes that centered in the northern city of Tripoli bring the total killed in almost a week of fighting to 38. In the capital, fighting had ended, although many of the city's roads remained blocked, including the route to the international airport. Civil disobedience has taken over the violence as the opposition groups, led by Hezbollah continue to call for a greater role in government. The past week has seen Lebanon's worst sectarian violence since the devastating Civil War in the country ended in 1990. Arab ministers are in Egypt to attempt to find a solution to what has become an 18-month long stalemate. Lebanon has been without a president since Emile Lahoud stepped down in November. The opposition and the government have been unable to agree on a candidate in the months since Lahoud left office.