The Shi’ite Amal movement, headed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, condemned the violence, saying it had, «no relation in any way shape or form to what happened in Maghdouche», denying accusations on social media of involvement.

BEIRUT, Aug 30 (Reuters) — A dispute over scarce fuel supplies ignited sectarian tensions between neighbouring Shi’ite Muslim and Christian villages in southern Lebanon over the weekend, forcing the army to intervene, a security source said.

Maghdouche tour

Clashes mostly centred on the crippling gasoline and diesel shortages have become a daily occurrence in Lebanon, prompting growing concern about a descent into chaos after two years of financial meltdown.

The financial meltdown, which has seen the currency sink by more than 90% in two years and forced more than half of the population into poverty, entered a new phase this month as the fuel shortages brought much of Lebanon to a standstill.