Beirut  - Lebanese leaders began a national dialogue on Tuesday, hoping to mend the deep divisions that have recently pushed the country to the brink of civil war.

The conference comes after a 26-month period marred by political turmoil and factional clashes.

Among the participants led by President Michel Suleiman are Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, ruling majority leader Saad Hariri and parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri.

Lebanese leaders began a session of national dialogue on Tuesday, hoping to mend the deep divisions that have recently pushed the country to the brink of civil war.

President Michel Suleiman headed the dialogue among leaders of the various political factions.

The conference comes after an interruption of 26 months which were marred by turmoil and factional clashes.

Beirut  - Fierce clashes erupted Monday between rival Palestinian factions in a refugee camp in south Lebanon with one person reported slain, Lebanese and Palestinian sources said.

The clashes erupted between the mainstream Fatah movement and members of a fundamentalist group called Jund al-Sham, the sources said.

A Jund al-Sham member was killed in the clashes, the sources said.

The militants exchanged machinegun fire and rocket-propelled grenades, and camp inhabitants were seen fleeing in the streets.

Beirut  - The United Nations refugee agency announced Monday that its top honour will go to the world body's bomb disposal experts for their work in southern Lebanon clearing munitions which have threatened the lives of civilians since the 2006 conflict with Israel.

The Nansen Refugee Award will be given to the UN Mine Action Coordination Centre of South Lebanon for its efforts to rid the region of cluster munitions and other dangerous remnants of war to allow the safe return of civilians in the area.

Beirut - One person was killed when heavy clashes erupted Monday between rival Palestinian factions in a refugee camp in southern Lebanon, Lebanese and Palestinian sources said.

They said the clashes were between members of the mainstream Fatah movement and members of a fundamentalist group called Jund al Sham, one of whose members was killed.

The militants exchanged machinegun fire and rocket-propelled grenades and people were seen fleeing the streets.

Beirut - Arab League Secretary general Amr Mussa arrived in beirut Monday to take part in national dialogue talks sponsored by President Michel Suleiman.

Mussa told reporters that the league's role "is to narrow the gap separating the various Lebanese factions."

The dialogue, scheduled for Tuesday at the Baabda Palace, was "an additional important step along the march to a lasting settlement in Lebanon," Mussa said.

"There are difficulties and tomorrow (Tuesday) is just the beginning of discussing all issues.."