Soldier killed in Lebanon clashes

A sniper shot dead a soldier as sectarian clashes rocked northern Lebanon, the country's national news agency said.

NNA said the soldier was shot and killed while he was inside a car in the city of Tripoli early today.

The clashes highlight how easily unrest in neighbouring Syria can raise tensions in Lebanon.

Residents say gunfire broke out in the city yesterday and continued through the night, primarily between a neighbourhood populated by Sunni Muslims who hate Syrian president Bashar Assad and another area with many Assad backers from his Alawite sect.

Armed civilians patrolled the streets today, and the Lebanese army said it was sending troops to control the area.

Similar clashes in the area in February killed two people.