Renewed fighting erupts in crisis-torn Lebanon

BEIRUT  - Fierce fighting erupted in northern Lebanon on Monday, further exacerbating tensions after days of deadly sectarian battles that have driven the nation to the brink of full-blown civil war.

At least one man was killed in clashes between supporters of the Western-backed government and militants loyal to the Shia Hezbollah-led opposition in the port city of Tripoli, a security official told AFP.

Lebanon's ruling Sunni-led majority vowed it would not negotiate with Hezbollah under the gun.

The showdown saw Hezbollah gunmen seize large swathes of Muslim west Beirut last week, plunging the already fragile nation into fear and uncertainty.

The international community has reacted with alarm to the fighting, which the United States blames on the powerful Shia Muslim group Hezbollah and its Syrian and Iranian patrons.