The situation in Naher el Bared neighborhood in northern Lebanon is described as "a tense calm" Sunday, following a night of intense fighting that ended with five soldiers dead and 20 other wounded, and at least four dead gunmen from the Fatah al-Islam terror group.

Lebanese sources said the last night was one of the roughest days of battle since the fighting at Naher el Bared began two weeks ago. Eyewitnesses said the Lebanese army fired an average of 15 shells per minute at the neighborhood.

The army continued to reinforce the area surrounding the neighborhood. 17 buildings have reportedly collapsed as a result of the army shelling.