GENEVA (Thomson Financial) - The international Red Cross said Friday that at
least 10 people have been killed in renewed fighting in Beirut and called on
groups involved to respect humanitarian principles.
The International Committee of the Red Cross gave its toll in a statement on
clashes between armed supporters of the Hezbollah-led opposition and the
government in the Lebanese capital Beirut.
"The ICRC appeals to those engaged in the fighting to allow medical and
humanitarian personnel to carry out their tasks and have unimpeded access to the
wounded," the agency said.
Hezbollah-led opposition fighters seized control of pro-government
strongholds in Beirut on Friday as gun battles rocked the Lebanese capital for a
third day, edging the nation dangerously close to all-out civil war.
The fighting has triggered urgent appeals for calm from the international
community amid fears that the long-running political feud in Lebanon could
descend into full-blown sectarian conflict.
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