The Lebanese army has said it is prepared to use force to disarm gunmen and restore order across the country.

It follows a week of clashes between supporters of the Western-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition.

At least 60 people are believed to have died in the violence.

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But correspondents say much of Beirut remains paralysed by street barricades, and the international airport is still closed.

The sectarian violence is the worst since the end of the 15-year civil war in 1990 and has led to fears of another all-out conflict.

US offer of help

On Monday, US President George W Bush offered to help strengthen Lebanon's army so it can disarm Hezbollah.

In an interview with the BBC, he said the Shia Muslim Hezbollah movement had acted against its own people and was destabilising the country.

He made the remarks ahead of a trip to the Middle East this week.

Overnight there were renewed clashes in the northern city of Tripoli but by early on Tuesday troops were reinforcing their presence on the streets.

There was similar violence in Tripoli on Monday but no fighting was reported in other areas. In the capital, Beirut, the situation remained calm.

(BBC)

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