Heavy fighting broke out in northern Lebanon, in the country's second-largest city, over the weekend, following fighthing last week in Beirut between pro-government forces and opponents.

Residents of Tripoli said forces were battling each other with rocket-propelled grenades, small arms and heavy machine guns.

Fighting in Beirut had largely ceased after the Lebanese army had deployed between the two factions.

But battles broke out anew Sunday when pro-government forces thought opponents gathering for a funeral in a nearby neighborhood were preparing a new attack, reports said.

Rescue personnel say at least 11 people have been killed in the mountains above Beirut, while at least 20 more have been wounded.

Iranian state-run TV reported that 17 opposition fighters were killed in the mountain clashes.

© 2008 Newsroom.