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Six die in Lebanon fighting

  • Story Highlights
  • Four killed Friday in northern city of Tripoli, security sources say
  • Battles pit Sunni supporters of government vs. sect that backs Hezbollah
  • Arrival of government soldiers quiets fighting
  • New unity Cabinet aims to stabilize country after internal strife
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BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- Six people have been killed and 52 wounded since Thursday night in battles between pro- and anti-government forces in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, security forces told CNN.

A potato vendor takes his cart and runs for cover during a clash Saturday in Tripoli, Lebanon.

A potato vendor takes his cart and runs for cover during a clash Saturday in Tripoli, Lebanon.

Four people died Friday. After Lebanese soldiers arrived, the city quieted down, the sources said.

The fighting was prompted by animosities between Sunni supporters of the Western-backed majority in Parliament and members of the Alawite sect loyal to the Hezbollah-led opposition.

Earlier this month, the Lebanese government announced it had agreed on a unity Cabinet, a step aimed at stabilizing the country, which has been torn by internal strife.

In keeping with a deal sponsored by the Arab League, the new Cabinet gives 11 seats to Hezbollah and its allies that oppose the government, 16 to the government, and three to Lebanese President Michel Sleiman to fill by appointment. It gives Hezbollah veto power.

The agreement came out of a May meeting at Doha, Qatar. The Hezbollah opposition agreed to end its sit-in protest that had paralyzed downtown Beirut since late 2006, in exchange for veto power and a redistricting plan ahead of next year's elections.

CNN's Nada Husseini and Anthony Mills contributed to this report.

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