The international community on Monday expressed concern over the situation in Lebanon following clashes involving pro- and anti-Syrian groups, which has sparked fears of a widening conflict. Washington expressed concern over the fighting last week in North Lebanon as well as Sunday night in the Beirut neighborhood of Tariq Jedideh, which left two people dead. The violence erupted hours after reports emerged that troops had shot dead Sheikh Ahmad Abdul Wahed, a prominent anti-Syria Sunni cleric, when his convoy allegedly failed to stop at a checkpoint in north Lebanon on Sunday.

"We welcome the commitment of the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces to conduct a swift and transparent investigation of the shooting incident," US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said. [Link]