News In Brief

Beirut gunmen battle as more of 'green line' comes down

Rival Muslim gunmen battled in west Beirut on Sunday in the worst fighting since the Syrian-backed security plan took effect July 4. Meanwhile, soldiers using bulldozers pushed aside more debris from the ''green line'' dividing Christian east and Muslim west Beirut so the last two of Beirut's six main crossing points can be reopened to civilian traffic this week.

Prime Minister Rashid Karami returned from a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he reportedly received Saudi promises to donate more than $450 million for reconstruction efforts in Lebanon.