At least 24 people are confirmed dead in the worst civil fighting in Lebanon for 16 years.

At least 40 others have called Al Jazeera to say they are trapped inside the camp by the Lebanese Army, and are not being allowed to leave to seek medicial treatment, in scenes reminscent of the Phalange siege of the Sabra and Chatilla camps.

29 people have been taken to hospital. 13 Lebanese soldiers are among the dead, and 10 Fateh Al Islam fighters. At least 1 civilian has died.

Fateh Al Islam is linked to Al Qaeda. It is alleged that the Siniora government has been funding Al Qaeda linked groups, like the anti-Syrian Fateh Al Islam. Fateh Al Islam is blamed for the February bus bombing which killed 3 people.

There is a lot of unwritten stuff between the lines of today's violence.

Labels: Fateh Al Islam, Lebanon, Terrorism

Syria has closed its northern border crossings with Lebanon at Al Arydha and Al Daboussyah because of the fighting in Tripoli.

At least 11 people have died after clashes between the Lebanese Army and anti-Syrian Al Qaeda linked militants. It is thought this group is also linked to Jund Ash Sham which has carried out terrorist attacks in Syria. Syria accuses them of coming in from Lebanon.

Labels: Lebanon, Terrorism

Seymour Hersh, campaigning investigative journalist, says America is funding extremist groups inside Syria to carry out terrorist attacks.

Don't underestimate the weight of these statements. Hersh is one of the world's most successful investigative journalists. He made his name by breaking a story about a massacre during the Veitnam War. More recently, he was the man who uncovered the Abu Ghraib scandal.

He says the US has put together a plan to extensively attack Iran (but importantly NOT Syria) with just 24 hours notice.

And he says the US is funding Lebanese Sunni fundamentalist groups VIA THE SINIORA GOVERNMENT. Groups which, Hersh claims, are aligned with Al Qaeda. These fighters are based in the Bekka Valley, and have received billions, he says.

Not so sweet and fluffy now, are we Mr Hariri.

The full, remarkable story, is here.

Labels: Hariri Militia, Iran, Lebanon, Terrorism, US