UPDATED ON:
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
00:47 Mecca time, 21:47 GMT
 
News Middle East
Calm returns to Lebanon after clash
Three people were killed in the latest clashes in two villages in the Bekaa valley [AFP]
Calm has returned to the Bekaa valley in eastern Lebanon after clashes between pro- and anti-government supporters.
 
Violence erupted in the villages of Taalbaya and Saadnayel on Monday evening but ended on Tuesday morning after government forces sent reinforcements, army officers said.
"There was an exchange of fire in mixed [Sunni-Shia Muslim] areas. We sent in a large force and the situation is now under control," an army official said.
 
At least three people were killed and four others wounded in the fighting, officials said on condition of anonymity.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades being fired from midnight on Monday until dawn on Tuesday.
 
Tense standoff
 
Supporters of the Future movement, which is a member of the parliamentary majority, and the opposition Hezbollah fought in the same two villages earlier this month.
 
The violence comes in spite of a deal reached in Qatar on May 21 that led to the election of Michel Sleiman, the head of the Lebanese army, as president.
 
The agreement between the majority and opposition was reached after an 18-month political deadlock.

However, the majority and the Hezbollah-led opposition have so far failed to agree on the formation a new national unity government.

Future movement officials earlier this month said they may withdraw from talks on the cabinet line-up, citing the violence.

"The clashes are continuing because both sides are acting irresponsibly," the army official said after the latest violence.

"If we don't reach a complete solution, there will always be potential for repeated clashes."

Zeina Khodr, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Lebanon, said: "No one can independently confirm what or who triggered the clashes but they were not the first in this area.

"The violence serves as a reminder of the dangers if reconciliation is not forged.

 Source: Al Jazeera and agencies
 
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