Death toll rises in northern Lebanon clashes

At least 11 people killed and 50 injured in three days of clashes in city of Tripoli, army says.

The Lebanese army has deployed in the city, arresting several people [AFP]

At least 11 people have been killed in three days of clashes in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli linked to the conflict in Syria, security sources and the Lebanese army said.

Overnight to Sunday, the army announced the death of a soldier when a military patrol in the city was hit by an anti-tank grenade.

The latest death brought the toll in clashes that began on Thursday to 11, a security source said.

The clashes, which have also injured 50 people, pit the Alawite district of Jabal Mohsen against the neighbouring Sunni quarter of Bab al-Tabbaneh.

The latest fighting broke out on Thursday after a Sunni man was killed by unknown gunmen on a motorbike in central Tripoli.

Tensions between the districts have run high for decades, only increasing with the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, where Alawite President Bashar al-Assad faces a Sunni-dominated uprising.

The Lebanese army has deployed in the city, arresting several people and responding to sources of fire.

Source: AFP