At least 10 people have died in north Lebanon in two days of gun battles between supporters and opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Clashes in the port city of Tripoli also left 49 people wounded including 11 soldiers, a security source said.
Tripoli, with a small Alawite community surrounded by a Sunni majority, is seen as one of Lebanon's most volatile sectarian fault-lines.
President Assad is an Alawite and is fighting a Sunni-led revolt.
Correspondents say tensions have been high since last week, when residents of the Alawite district of Jabal Muhsin began flying Syrian flags in support of President Assad.
In response, residents of neighbouring Bab al-Tabbana raised the flag favoured by Syrian rebels.
Clashes broke out on Saturday, leaving at least six dead, and continued into the night.