A delegation of Arab League members has gone to Beirut to try to solve the latest crisis in Lebanon.

Arab League foreign ministers, who held an emergency session in the Egyptian capital Cairo over the weekend, were divided over a draft
resolution that implicitly condemns Hezbollah for the violence that has rocked Lebanon for the past five days.

The violence started after the government attempted to curb the Hezbollah-led opposition.

Shi'ite gunmen seized control of much of west Beirut and closed off the capital's airport.

Arab League members fear it is likely that Lebanon will once again descend into a replay of the 1975-1990 civil war.

Supporters of the Western backed government clashed with Hezbollah fighters in a number of Druze villages east of Beirut on Sunday.

The government army has sent massive reinforcements to the area and to the northern port city of Tripoli, which was the scene of heavy fighting overnight.

A ceasefire between followers of Druze leader Walid Jumblatt and opposition followers failed after clashes broke out on Jumblatt's stronghold of Mount Lebanon.

Shortly after Druze opposition leader Talal Arslan said that the ceasefire had been established, battles once again broke out in Kayfoun.

Kayfoun is a Shia village surrounded by Druze villages loyal to Jumblatt.

So far, nearly 40 people have been killed and dozens injured.