Lebanon deploys troops to calm Syria-linked violence

Security forces were deployed after the country's Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited to try and stem the violence, and follow clashes between armed Alawite groups and Sunni fighters in the city which have increased over recent weeks.

"The Lebanese army and internal security forces need to take all measures to stop the clashes in the city of Tripoli, without discrimination," a statement from Mikati's office said.

Armoured vehicles were seen on the streets of the city but no shots were fired, Reuters has reported.

Fighting was concentrated in Tripoli's Bab al-Tebbaneh district, a mostly Sunni Muslim community, and the pro-Damascus Alawite Jabal Mohsen neighbourhood.

Although there have been sporadic clashes between gunmen in neighbouring Tripoli districts, Saturday's death toll (10) is believed to be the highest in a single day.

The BBC has reported that the fighting is seeing Sunni gunmen - who support the uprising in Syria - facing off against Alawites, who back President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite-dominated regime in Damascus.

These sectarian divisions run through the region and connect in Syria, fuelling the fear that the possibility of an all-out civil war in Syria could have dangerous repercussions for its neighbours.

"We are being targeted because we support the Syrian people," one Sunni gunman was reported as saying by Associated Press Television. "We are with you [Syrian people] and will not abandon you."

On 14 May, five people were killed in similar clashes after a Sunni cleric, Shadi al-Moulawi, was arrested on terrorism charges. His supporters say he was held because he helped Syrian refugees.

In February, two died when supporters and opponents of Al-Assad clashed.

Community leaders in Lebanon have repeatedly warned of the possibility that the violence in Syria would spill over the border. Lebanon is already hosting thousands of Syrian refugees.

The clashes in Lebanon came after UN peace envoy Kofi Annan warned that the sectarian violence in Syria could spread across borders.