New Fighting at Lebanese Camp

Jun 01, 06:46 AM

Current Headlines: Lebanese troops and an Islamic militant group barricaded in a refugee camp near Tripoli resumed fighting Friday.

A government offensive against the Fatah al-Islam militants followed the delivery of a second shipment of artillery and tank ammunition from the United States, CNN reported.

The Lebanese military, which has been fighting the militants since May 20, said it needed the new military supplies.

Fatah al-Islam has denied accusations that it is part of the al-Qaida terror network. Lebanese officials have said the group has ties to Syrian security, although Damascus denies it, the BBC reported.

More than 80 people have died in the fighting at the Nahr al-Bared camp, the BBC reported. While 25,000 Palestinian refugees have fled the camp, the United Nations said more than 30,000 were trapped inside.

A Lebanese military court charged 20 captured Fatah al-Islam members with terrorism on Wednesday, the BBC reported.