Lebanon prepares for attack on camp

BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 11 (UPI) -- Civilians were fleeing a Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon as the Lebanese Army reportedly prepared to go after Fatah al-Islam fighters.

Sources told Alalam satellite TV the army has deployed extra troops for a major assault on Nahr al-Bared.

Troops have been battling Fatah al-Islam fighters for nearly eight weeks in Lebanon's worst internal violence since the 1975-1990 civil war, Alalam said.

At least 87 soldiers, 75 gunmen and 43 civilians have been killed in the

fighting.

Most of Nahr al-Bared's 40,000 inhabitants have fled, but about 400 refugees were reported to be living in dire conditions in the camp, Alalam said.