Personal Dispute Erupts into Gunfire in Shatila

A personal dispute erupted into gunfire in the Shatila Palestinian refugee camp near Beirut's Tariq al-Jedideh neighborhood on Tuesday, sparking panic in the area in the wake of the deadly clashes that broke out near the Sports City on Sunday.

“A dispute between members of the al-Shamma family erupted into gunfire in the Shatila camp,” a military source told al-Jadeed television.

The TV network had earlier reported that “clashes renewed in the Western Neighborhood behind the Sports City amid heavy gunfire.”

Meanwhile, a military source denied to MTV that fighting broke out anew in the Western Neighborhood, saying the gunshots were heard during a dispute in the Shatila camp.

On Sunday, at least one person was killed and 13 others wounded in fierce clashes between armed Salafists and supporters of Arab Movement Party leader Shaker al-Berjawi near the Sports City in Beirut.

Later on Tuesday, MTV aired a live report from the Western Neighborhood, saying the district “did not witness clashes” although “supporters of Shaker al-Berjawi headed to the neighborhood and opened fire at several houses.”

“Residents called the army and troops have deployed in the area,” it said.

“We tried to contact Shaker al-Berjawi but he did not answer and the army quickly deployed in force after the shooting in this neighborhood,” MTV's correspondent said.

He noted that “troops also deployed on rooftops and they are on high alert.”

It was not immediately clear if the incidents in Shatila and the nearby Western Neighborhood were connected.