The fighting in the Bekaa comes after Lebanese leaders elected Sleiman as president [AFP]

Violence erupted in the villages of Taalbaya and Saadnayel on Monday evening but ended on Tuesday morning after the army sent reinforcements, army officials said.
 
"There was an exchange of fire in mixed [Sunni-Shia] areas. We sent in a large force and the situation is now under control," an army official said.
 
At least two 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 Sunni al-Mustaqbal (Future) movement, which is a member of the parliamentary majority, and the opposition Hezbollah, a Shia organisation, 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.

Al-Mustaqbal 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."

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto: