The World : Rival Shias Clash; 7 Killed

Rival members of the Shia Muslim Amal militia fought artillery and rocket battles in southern Lebanon, killing at least seven people in the first evidence of a rift within Lebanon’s most powerful militia. Police in the port city of Sidon said fighting with anti-tank rockets and jeep-mounted cannons raged between militiamen supporting Amal chief Nabih Berri and those loyal to Hassan Hashem, who last year was fired by Berri from his post as chief of Amal’s executive council. Muslim Voice of the Nation radio said Hashem has begun a revolt against Berri’s pro-Sryian leadership of Amal.