WORLD IN BRIEF : LEBANON : Mortar Duels Kill 3; Truce Jeopardized

Sniper fire escalated to mortar duels between Christian forces that killed at least three people, wounded 22 and jeopardized a six-day-old truce in East Beirut. It was the worst cease-fire violation since the truce went into effect. By police count, the battle for control of the Christian enclave between Samir Geagea’s Lebanese Forces militia and the rival army troops of Maj. Gen. Michel Aoun has killed 688 people and wounded 1,906 since it broke out Jan. 30. Geagea had declared his war to be over, but Aoun said the existence of two military forces is not acceptable.