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.
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.
