New clashes break out in Lebanese border town

BEIRUT (AP) - Lebanese state media say clashes have broken out in a border town held by Islamic extremists from neighboring Syria after a negotiated truce collapsed overnight.

The cease-fire, mediated by Muslim clerics, was meant to help end four days of fighting in the town of Arsal and allow for negotiations for the release of captive Lebanese soldiers.

The National News Agency says fighting broke out again after militants opened fire on troops on early Wednesday.

Syrian militants overran Arsal on Saturday, seizing Lebanese army positions and capturing a number of soldiers and policemen. It has been the most serious spillover yet of Syrian violence into tiny Lebanon.

So far, 17 Lebanese troops have been killed and at least 22 soldiers and an unknown number of policemen have been declared as missing.