U.S. air support sent to Lebanon

TRIPOLI, Lebanon, May 25 (UPI) -- The United States sent supplies to Lebanon Friday to help government troops fighting al-Qaida-backed militants at a Palestinian refugee camp.

Lebanese security services said four Arab-owned planes carried weapons and ammunition from U.S. Army bases and depots in the Middle East, The Times of London reports.

Fighting erupted anew Thursday night between government forces and the Fatah al-Islam guerrillas at the Nahr el-Bared camp near the northern city of Tripoli.

At least 33 Lebanese soldiers and 25 militants are believed to have died in what is being described as the worst fighting since the country's 1975-1990 civil war.

The government has ruled out any negotiations to end the standoff.

"We will put an end to the terrorist phenomenon without hesitation," Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said.

So far the United Nations agency that cares for Palestinian refugees has been unable to enter the camp to provide the remaining civilians with supplies.