Lebanese troops, gunmen clash in north Lebanon

TRIPOLI, Lebanon, June 28 (Reuters) Lebanese troops clashed with gunmen in the northern city of Qalamoun early today, witnesses and security sources said.

They said the army launched a raid at about 0330 hrs in Qalamoun, which is on the Mediterranean coast south of Tripoli, and a firefight ensued involving assault rifles and grenades. Army helicopters hovered over the area.

The fighting appeared to ease later. There was no immediate information on casualties and the army could not be immediately reached for comment.

The identity of the gunmen was 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.

At least 194 people have been killed in the fighting since May 20.

REUTERS SLD RAI1157