An earthquake registering 3.4 on the Richter scale struck south Lebanon early Saturday. No casualties were reported.

The tremor was reported at 6:44am in the village of Srifa and its environs, sparking panic among the population.

Residents in the region, northeast of the coastal town of Tyre, deserted homes and sought refuge in fields, fearing possible aftershocks.

The area has been the scene of repeated quakes for nearly a month.