News In Brief

Muslim factions continue strife in northern Lebanon

Battles in Tripoli between pro- and anti-Syrian militias erupted Monday night and persisted Tuesday. At least 31 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in the wost fighting since June. The fighting is not related to the overall Muslim-Christian strife in Lebanon. It involves two Muslim militias that have long been vying for local dominance in the nation's second-largest city, in Syrian-controlled north Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Israelis isolated south Lebanon on Monday, closing the only road linking it with the rest of the country, as part of a drive to stem frequent guerrilla attacks against them and their local militia allies.