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Two Relief Workers, Three Soldiers Killed in Lebanon Fighting


Lebanese officials say two local Red Cross workers and at least three soldiers have died in the latest fighting at a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon.

Officials say the Red Cross workers came under fire Monday from inside the Nahr el-Bared camp near the city of Tripoli. In a separate incident, gunfire wounded a Muslim cleric trying to mediate an end to the fighting.

At least three Lebanese soldiers also died as army troops and Islamic militants based in the refugee camp exchanged gunfire.

Military officials said the army is gradually advancing into the camp, and Monday seized papers and then destroyed the house of the leader of the Fatah al-Islam militants, Shaker al-Absi.

More than 130 people have been killed since fighting broke out May 20.

Tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees have fled the camp since fighting erupted, but thousands remain inside.

The al-Qaida-inspired militants have repeatedly refused government demands to surrender.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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