1.
GV Troops running across street amidst gun fire (4 shots)
0.22

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GV & CU Troops behind sandbags
0.30

3.
GV Gunmen with masks on (3 shots)
0.46

4.
CU Skull and crossbone on rifle butt
0.51

5.
SV Loudspeaker on rooftop
0.58

6.
SV Troops firing from window
1.09

7.
SV Women behind sandbags
1.18

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GV Street scenes with smoke coming over buildings
1.28

9.
GV & CU Armed troops in street
0.34

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GV Armoured car through street
1.41

11.
GV Gunman fires shot and runs behind building
1.44

12.
SV Building PAN TO soldier behind sandbag
1.52



Initials BB/0105 PK/AH/BB/0145



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Fresh fighting broke out in Beirut on Monday (22 September) between rival gunmen -- on the third day of the shaky ceasefire between Christian and Moslem factions -- despite Lebanese army efforts to keep the peace.

Though the level of violence has dropped since the truce agreement was negotiated through the Syrian Government, reports say that Lebanon still faces the prospect of open civil war.

Gunmen manned many street junctions and observers say that diplomatic sources are gloomy about whether the ceasefire will really work.

Macabre masks are now being worn by "right wing" Christian Phalangists who, like their opponents -- "left wing" Moslems -- are scared of being identified.

Death symbols are etched on rifle butts, while loudspeaker propaganda boosts the fighters' spirits -- and keeps them awake after five gruelling days and nights of battle.

Reports say that women in the Phalangist camp are also "fighting with their heads and their hearts". The other side, they claim, is using "muscles and money". But Moslem leaders are trying to work out a peaceful situation. They joined with Christian leaders, it was said, in pleading with the Syrian Government to continue trying to resolve the conflict.

However, the situation was so dangerous on Monday that an armoured can had to deliver a banking director to his hotel. And observers say that the gunmen now control the city's entire central business area. Seconds after the bank director was dropped, a sniper opened fire -- only yards away.