Authorities in Lebanon say at least two people have died in clashes between pro- and anti-government groups in the eastern villages of Saadnayel and Taalbaya.

Lebanese man holds remains of rockets that hit his house in Saadnayel village, east of Beirut, during overnight clashes, 17 Jun 2008

Officials say four others were wounded in the fighting, which involved heavy guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Lebanon's newly elected president, voicing support for the country's yet-to-be-formed government.  Rice is the first high-ranking U.S. official to meet with President Michel Suleiman since Lebanon's power-sharing agreement was reached last month.

She said the U.S. plans to support the new government even though it gives more power to the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The Arab League brokered the power-sharing deal last month to end Lebanon's 18-month-long political stalemate.  It proposes Western-backed Prime Minister Fuad Siniora work with members of the Hezbollah-led opposition to form a unity Cabinet.

The 30-member Cabinet would give the Syrian-backed opposition veto power over government decisions. Disagreements over who should hold key ministerial posts are slowing down the process. 

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.