REPORT: Festival kicks off in Tripoli to bridge differences between rivals

A festival kicked off on Saturday in the northern city of Tripoli in order to bridge differences between two rival neighborhoods in the city.

 

The carnival is organized by the MARCH organization and includes artistic shows, plays, dance and music shows, food, and crafts.

 

Prior to the festival, more than 100 young men and women from both neighborhoods got together and helped in the preparations.

 

The Bab al-Tabbaneh–Jabal Mohsen conflict is a frequent conflict between Sunni Muslim residents of the Bab-al-Tibbaneh and Alawite Muslim residents of the Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods of Tripoli.

 

Residents of the two neighborhoods have been rivals since the Lebanese Civil War, and have often involved in clashes. They are divided along sectarian lines, as well as by their opposition to or support of the Alawite-led Syrian regime.

 

Violence flared up during the Syrian Civil War spillover in Lebanon.