BEIRUT, Nov 11: Shooting between gunmen from sectarian groups in southern Lebanon killed three people and wounded at least five on Sunday, officials said, in the latest sign Syria’s civil war may be spilling over to Lebanon.

The clash between followers of hardline cleric Sheik Ahmad al-Assir and members of militant group Hezbollah broke out after religious banners were raised in the port city of Sidon, the officials added.

Sectarian tensions related to the conflict in neighbouring Syria have been rising in Lebanon, coming to a head last month with the assassination of a senior anti-Syrian intelligence official. The killing of Brig-Gen Wissam al-Hassan, sparked sectarian violence that killed at least 13 people.

Lebanon and Syria share similar sectarian divides that have fed tensions in both countries. Most of Lebanon’s Sunnis have backed Syria’s rebels, while Lebanese Shias tend to back President Bashar Assad.

The officials said al-Assir's bodyguard and a supporter were killed in the shooting, while the wounded included a Hezbollah commander.

An Egyptian boy who happened to be in the area was also killed, they said.

Shortly afterward, a Lebanese army force arrived in the Taameer area in Sidon, on the edge of the Palestinian refugee camp Ein el-Hilweh, to split the two groups apart.—AP