The Lebanese army says there have been many casualties among Islamic militants in the fierce fighting between the two sides at a Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli.
An army statement Friday, did not give a specific number of militants killed or wounded, but demanded that the Fatah al-Islam militants surrender and for Palestinians not to give them safe haven. The army accused the militants of using civilians as "human shields."
Lebanese artillery and tanks pounded militant positions today inside the Nahr el-Bared camp.
A VOA correspondent outside the camp says there has been steady shelling throughout the day, with sporadic gunfire from inside the camp.
Two soldiers have been killed in the latest fighting.
Overall, at least 80 people have died in the nearly two weeks of clashes at the camp.
Thousands of Palestinian refugees have fled the camp, but thousands more remain trapped inside.
The Lebanese government this week charged 20 Fatah al-Islam militants with being terrorists.
Lebanese judicial sources say all of those charged are in custody, and that all could face the death penalty if convicted. At least one of the militants charged is a Syrian.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
