LAF units deploy in the northern city of Tripoli

Lebanese Armed Forces started on Thursday to deploy in the neighborhoods of Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen in the northern city of Tripoli, mainly in Syria street.

The Lebanese army also established checkpoints in the city and conducted motorized patrols.

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.

Disputes from neighboring Syria's civil war frequently inflame sectarian grievances in Tripoli. These clashes pit gunmen from both the mostly Sunni Bab Tabbaneh district and the Jabal Mohsen district which mostly comprises residents of Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite sect, a Shiite Islam offshoot.

The latest round of clashes sparked after rockets fell on the northeastern border town of Arsal leaving 9 civilians killed last Friday. The town's mayor, Ali Hjariri, had accused Hezbollah of being behind the incident, generating violence in the already volatile city.

At least seven people have been killed so far with dozens injured.