Human Rights Watch today called on Lebanese authorities to investigate the killings of civilians and look into other potential violations of humanitarian law in the fierce sectarian clashes last week that left at least 65 people dead and about 200 wounded. Fighting began May 7 and mostly ended Wednesday, when the Lebanese Cabinet rescinded two controversial orders that had provoked Hezbollah and its allies into a bloody retaliation.

HRW's Beirut researchers say that both parties to the conflict -- forces loyal to the U.S.-allied government as well as the Hezbollah-led opposition movement -- committed violations such as using powerful weapons in crowded civilian areas, detaining people and keeping them incommunicado, and carrying out executions. There was at least one case that points to torture; a casualty of the fighting was discovered with skin from his forearm removed, according to Human Rights Watch.

HRW also voiced concern that authorities loyal to one side or the other would shield their allies from investigation and possible prosecution, further leaving the impression that such spurts of bloodshed will go unpunished.

"Accounts of abuses by the gunmen are spreading like wildfire and raising tensions," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director for HRW. "Unless the state acts quickly to hold the perpetrators accountable there are likely to be further reprisals."

I didn't see the news release on the HRW Website, but it might be up later on. Check it out at http://www.hrw.org/

And a little update from here at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East, in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt: We just heard that Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Saniora will not be attending the conference, where he was to meet with his ally, President Bush. No reasons were given for the decision, though Saniora likely would have faced intense criticism for leaving Lebanon at such a volatile time.