Former ISF chief Rifi: Tripoli is "not a toy" in the hands of Syrian regime, Hezbollah

Former Internal Security Forces chief Major General Ashraf Rifi held on Friday a press conference in which he tackled the latest development in the northern city of Tripoli.    

Rifi noted that Tripoli city is not "a toy in the hands of the Syrian regime and Hezbollah," urging the Lebanese state to assume its responsibilities in this regard.                

He also called on the concerned authorities to restore peace and stability in the city, adding that Tripoli's residents are "fed up" with the clashes.           

He also called on caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Tripoli's MPs to hold a sit-in in Tripoli until the clashes come to an end.                       

Rifi noted that Tripoli's residents "do not fear the Syrian regime', adding that confrontations in the city are not between Sunnites and Allawites.           

Earlier, cautious calm prevailed over the city of Tripoli after fierce overnight clashes that killed a citizen identified as Riad Salaheddine Slouki and injured 11 others.                   

The tension of the clashes remarkably eased on Friday morning between Tripoli’s Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, while sporadic gunfire could still be heard as Lebanese Armed Forces units conducted patrols across the streets.              

The traffic movement was low but most of the shops reopened their doors for business.               
The city had witnessed fierce clashes on Thursday midnight until Friday morning between gunmen on various axes including al-Baqqar, al-Rifa, al-Shaarani, Talaat al-Omari, Jabal Mohsen, Baal al-Darawish, al-Mankoubin and al-Mallouleh.                  

The clashes, which had erupted on Monday night, left 4 killed and dozens injured, while officials held several security meetings in order to find a solution for the situation.               

The port city of Tripoli has long been a stronghold of Sunni Islamists in northern Lebanon.       

But the city has become increasingly volatile in recent months due to the civil war in neighboring Syria, where the Sunni majority is leading a revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.