Six people have been killed in overnight clashes that re-erupted in the northern city of Tripoli, where heavy weapons were used.

Six people have been killed in overnight clashes that re-erupted in the northern city of Tripoli, where heavy weapons were used.

Al-Manar correspond reported that the clashes intensified overnight in the areas of Shaarani, Bakkar and Jabal Mohsen, noting that gunfire reached far areas in Baddawi, Wadi an-Nahla and Baddawi camp.

He said that many houses were on fire, adding that random gunfire also reached the area surrounding Beirut Arab University in el-Mina.

The state-run National News Agency said the gunbattles witnessed for the first time the use of 60 and 81 mm caliber mortar shells.

Agence France Presse quoted security source as saying that six people were killed Wednesday overnight, raising the death toll to at least 15 since the clashes erupted during the weekend.

"Very violent fighting took place last night until 5:00 am (0200 GMT) that killed six people and wounded 40. The clashes and shelling affected several areas of the city, including the centre," the source told AFP.