REPORT: Death toll in Tripoli rises to 24 as deputies hold meeting in Beirut's Center House

              
Tension re-erupted on Friday in the city of Tripoli after more than five mortar shells fell on Souq al Kameh in Bab el- Tebbaneh and in other areas in the city.    

A mortar shell reportedly fell in the vicinity of Tripoli's al-Omari mosque while three persons were injured as they narrowly escaped sniping operations in the volatile city.      

In the early morning, a mortar shell also fell on Tripoli’s Azmi Street, causing only material damages while the Lebanese Armed Forces were deployed since 5 am.        

Most of the shops, schools and universities remain closed in light of the deteriorating security situation.       

In this regard, Tripoli MPs and Future bloc deputies held a meeting at the Center House in Beirut, whereby MP Samir al-Jisr stressed on behalf of the party the bloc's commitment to religious coexistence in the city of Tripoli.            

“We call for the prosecution of people threatening and terrorizing Tripoli and urge President Sleiman to demand decisive action on the part of the Lebanese Armed Forces on the ground.”    

"We reject all forms of violence in Tripoli," he said.

On another note, the Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya held a march in the afternoon to express their rejection to violent actions in Tripoli, adding that they are against the chaos prevailing in Tripoli.

The heated clashes that broke out overnight claimed the lives of many citizens and injured others, with fighters using rocket-propelled grenades as well as light and medium weapons.

In the 10th round of violence in Tripoli marked since the onset of the Syrian revolution, heavy artillery weapons ruled the scene, leaving at least 20 people including 2 LAF soldiers dead and more than 200 wounded.

The clashes late Wednesday were the heaviest since the armed conflicts began late Sunday, with fighters using heavy machine guns and mortar rounds.

The battles are taking place between pro-Syrian regime supporters in the predominantly Alawite neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen and pro-revolution fighters in the Sunni Bab al-Tabbaneh.

Clashes between the two areas stretch back to decades, but the recent round of fighting was the heaviest.

Political negotiations have so far failed to quench the violence.


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