Clashes in Southern Lebanon Deadliest Since Start of Syrian Conflict

The death toll in clashes in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon continued to climb Monday, marking the bloodiest 48 hours for the country's army since the conflict in Syria began creeping over the border and evoking memories of Lebanon's own 15-year civil war.

Fifteen soldiers have been killed in the fighting between the military and Sunni militia supporting Sidon's firebrand cleric Sheik Ahmed al-Assir, according to a senior security official. Brig. Ali Shahrour said the area around Assir's mosque, the epicenter of the fighting, had been secured, while the army was hunting for the cleric to arrest him.

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