MP Jean Ogassapian to LBCI: Recent clashes in Tripoli are direct results of Syrian crisis

MP Jean Ogassapian said on Sunday that the recent clashes in the northern city of Tripoli are a direct result of the bloodshed taking place in Syria, accusing caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati of funding the Islamists in the city.

He also urged the International Community to reach a common ground over the Syrian crisis.

MP Ogassapian's comments were made during an interview with Nharkom Said TV show, in which he stressed that Hezbollah controls the decisions of the Lebanese state.

Following a night of violent clashes on various axes in Tripoli, cautious calm prevailed on Saturday over the northern Lebanese city with Lebanese Armed Forces units deployed in it, and soldiers responding to sources of fire.

Fighting took place in the regions of al-Mankoubin, Jabal Mohsen, during which machine guns and missiles were heavily used until midnight.                     

Clashes left 4 citizens killed and were identified as Qassem Khodour, aka Abou Zeid, Abou Bakir Mikati, Mohammad Khaldiyeh and Zein Eddine Naboulsy.

At dawn the army established a checkpoint at the international highway linking Tripoli to Aakar whereby soldiers checked cars and identities of passersby.

The clashes, which had erupted on Monday night, left more than 6 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.