Army kills six militants in north Lebanon clash

TRIPOLI, Lebanon, June 28 (Reuters) Lebanese troops killed six militants during a clash in the northern town of Qalamoun early today, security sources said.

They said at least two of the militants were Lebanese and three were believed to be Saudi. It was not clear what the nationality of the sixth militant was. Two Lebanese soldiers were slightly wounded, they added.

Witnesses said the army had launched a raid early today in Qalamoun, which is on the Mediterranean coast south of Tripoli, and a firefight ensued using assault rifles and grenades. Army helicopters hovered over the area.

The fighting appeared to ease later.

The identities of the gunmen were not immediately clear. A similar clash erupted last week in Tripoli after Lebanese troops stormed a militant hideout killing seven, mostly foreigners.

A more significant clash erupted on May 20 in Tripoli which has sparked fierce fighting at a nearby Palestinian refugee camp between the army and al Qaeda-inspired militants of Fatah al-Islam.

Fighting between militants and the Lebanese army since May 20 has killed at least 194 people -- 84 soldiers, 70 militants and 40 civilians -- not including Thursday's casualties.

Reuters SLD DS1222