Special Report: New clash between Israeli, Lebanese troops

Fire rises from fuel tanks at Beirut international airport after being attacked by Israeli aircrafts July 13, 2006. Israeli aircraft struck the main highway linking Beirut to the Syrian capital Damascus early on Friday, a Lebanese security source said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery

    BEIRUT, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes bombed the fuel storage tanks of Lebanese Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut¡¯s southern suburb after nightfall Thursday, Lebanese Future TV reported.

    One helicopter warplane raked the fuel tanks with machine gunfire while three others fired air-to-surface missiles, Lebanese security sources was quoted as saying.

    The TV stations showed flames shooting high up into the night air from the Lebanese only international airport, while firemen were reluctant to reach the site because of continuing Israeli air activity, according to the report.

    Earlier Thursday morning, Israeli warplanes launched at least two raids over the eastern and western runways in the airport, forcing it to shut down, security sources said. Enditem