5 Dead as Clashes Erupt in Khalde during Ali Chebli's Funeral
Deadly armed clashes erupted Sunday in the coastal Khalde area south of Beirut during the funeral of a Hizbullah-linked man who was killed overnight in a vendetta shooting.
The clashes left at least five people including three Hizbullah members dead, a Lebanese security source told AFP.
Several people were also wounded in the exchange of fire.
The National News Agency said machineguns and RPG rockets were used heavily in the clashes, sparking panic among residents.
Media reports said three Hizbullah members were killed and several others were wounded when a convoy carrying Chebli’s coffin came under gunfire near his Khalde home.
MTV said shots were fired at the mourners convoy from several buildings in an apparent "ambush."
Media reports meanwhile said that the areas around Khalde were witnessing movements by Hizbullah members carrying machineguns.
The army later said that it reinforced its presence in Khalde, warning that troops would "open fire at any gunman who may be spotted in the area.
MTV for its part reports that a "political agreement" was reached on "leaving things to the army."
Chebli, an official of the Hizbullah-linked Resistance Brigades, was shot dead overnight at a wedding in Jiye by a member of Khalde's Arab tribes.
The shooter, who was swiftly arrested, is the brother of a 15-year-old teen who was killed in Khalde's clashes a year ago.
Source: Naharnet
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