国际英语新闻:Casualties rise to 6 killed, 23 injured in Lebanon's Tripoli clashes

BEIRUT, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Casualties from Saturday's sectarian clashes in Lebanon's Tripoli have risen to six killed and 23 injured as militants in the northern port's Sunni-dominated Bab al-Tebbaneh area exchanged fire with gunmen in the mostly Alawite neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen.

"Six people were killed in today's clashes and the death toll is expected to rise as some of the injured are in critical condition," a local security source told Xinhua.

Earlier in the day, the Lebanese Army Guidance directorate said that seven soldiers were wounded, including a First Lieutenant who is in critical condition.

The sniper fire is still intense and sounds of rocket-propelled grenade could be heard across the city.

Tensions have been running high in Tripoli since Thursday, and sniper activities renewed on Friday when an Alawite was shot in his feet in the area of al-Beddawi al-Mankoubine.

Earlier, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed that Lebanon will not hesitate in taking all necessary decisions to avert the worsening security in Tripoli, saying that the security forces will deal firmly with violators.

"We have taken several security decisions that should aid the security forces in carrying out their tasks in Tripoli," he said.