Deadly sectarian violence has plunged Lebanon further into crisis.

Fierce fighting has again erupted in northern Lebanon with at least one person killed in the northern port city of Tripoli.

Lebanon has been rocked by six days of fighting between supporters of the Western-backed government and Hezbollah-led opposition, which is backed by Syria and Iran.

59 people have been reported killed with more than 200 injured.

In the worst unrest since the 1975-1990 civil war, the violence started after the government, led by Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, suspended the head of security at Beirut International airport and announced a judicial enquiry into Hezbollah's communications network on the grounds that it was endangering national security.

Hezbollah's leader, Hasan Nasrallah, accused the government of declaring war against his Shi'ite militia group and ordered his fighters to take over the capital.

Meanwhile, US President George Bush has told the BBC he would be prepared to help strengthen Lebanon's army so it can disarm Hezbollah.

In an interview, Mr Bush said the Shia Muslim Hezbollah movement had acted against its own people and was destabilising Lebanon.

He made the remarks ahead of a trip to the Middle East later this week.