Beirut clashes kill 1 amid fear of Syria spillover

An anti-Syrian regime protester, chants slogans during a demonstration to show solidarity with the Syrian revolution in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, May 18, 2012. The head of a U.N. observer team in Syria cautioned Friday that the mission cannot achieve a permanent end to the violence without genuine talks between the two sides that have been locked in a violent conflict for more than a year. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

An anti-Syrian regime protester, chants slogans during a demonstration to show solidarity with the Syrian revolution in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, May 18, 2012. The head of a U.N. observer team in Syria cautioned Friday that the mission cannot achieve a permanent end to the violence without genuine talks between the two sides that have been locked in a violent conflict for more than a year. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Anti-Syrian regime protesters, wave a giant Syrian revolutionary flag during a demonstration to show their solidarity with the Syrian revolution in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, May 18, 2012. The head of a U.N. observer team in Syria cautioned Friday that the mission cannot achieve a permanent end to the violence without genuine talks between the two sides that have been locked in a violent conflict for more than a year. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

BEIRUT (AP) ? Lebanese security officials say overnight clashes in Beirut between Sunni groups that support and oppose the regime in Damascus have killed one person and wounded 10.

The clashes in the predominantly Sunni neighborhood of Tariq Jadidah are Beirut's worst in four years. They erupted hours after an anti-Syrian cleric and his bodyguard were shot dead in northern Lebanon.

The officials said Monday that the man who was killed was a member of a pro-Syrian Sunni group. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Lebanon and Syria share a complex web of political and sectarian ties and rivalries, which are easily enflamed. Last week, clashes sparked by the Syrian crisis killed at least eight people and wounded dozens in the northern city of Tripoli.

Associated Press

knicks vs heat ash wednesday kate walsh cnn debate equatorial guinea marine helicopter crash chicago weather