Two die in Lebanon in clash over illegal building

The clash Thursday in the port city of Tyre pitted residents against police and army forces who tried to stop the illegal construction of homes on state-owned land. Illegal construction is common in Lebanon, where many poor who cannot afford to buy land or apartments end up building on state-owned property. The security officials said the residents opened fire first, setting a police car on fire. The force then returned fire, killing two people, the officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.