Heavy Gunfire Rips Palestinian Camp in Lebanon

Lebanese troops killed 28 al-Qaida-inspired militants and captured 15 others in a massive gunfight Sunday after they broke out of a northern Palestinian refugee camp devastated by over three months of fighting, a senior security official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because no official casualty figure was released.

Heavy gunbattles that began during the dawn breakout continued through early afternoon, with troops engaging Fatah Islam fighters in buildings, fields and roads around Nahr el-Bared camp, residents and television stations reported.

In a statement, the military said troops were attacking the remaining militant strongholds inside Nahr el-Bared and "chasing the fugitives outside the camp" who had staged "a desperate attempt to flee."

It called on Lebanese citizens to inform the nearest army patrol of any suspected militants in their area, but gave no specifics on casualties excepting saying "a large number" had been killed or captured.

The Lebanese military has been fighting Fatah al Islam for months now, and has reduced the Nahr el-Bared camp to rubble. The terrorists, aligned with al Qaeda, have been holed up in the camp since they launched an attack on the Lebanese military earlier this year.

The latest battle began after Fatah al Islam used tunnels to breach an area under the army's control and other terrorists drove into the area from outside the camp. A fierce battle broke out and the Fatah al Islam suffered serious casualties.

Some reports indicate that Fatah al Islam's leader was among those captured, but the military would neither confirm nor deny those.

Security sources said at least 27 of the militants were killed and about 15 others were arrested, several in nearby villages outside the camp.

The bodies of 19 of the militants were taken to the main hospital in the nearby northern city of Tripoli, a hospital official told AFP.

Reports suggested that Fatah al-Islam chief Shaker al-Abssi was among those captured but the army would neither deny or confirm this.

The US continues to support the Lebanese government, and has provided 130 armored Humvees to assist in their efforts.