Security officials say heavy overnight fighting between pro- and anti-government supporters in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli has left four dead.

The officials say the deaths bring to eight the number of people killed since violence erupted Sunday. Forty-two people have been wounded so far.

The officials say the overnight clash started when government supporters from the Bab el-Tabaneh district and the opposition in neighboring Jabal Mohsen neighborhood exchanged machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

Fighting eased Monday morning, although residents say sporadic explosions could still be heard. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.