Three Lebanese
Armed Forces soldiers were injured after a unit was ambushed upon its
entry into Tripoli's Syria Street as part of its deployment in the
northern Lebanese city.
The LAF commenced the second phase of its
deployment in Tripoli Monday noon, starting with the Al Maloula
roundabout towards Syria Street that separates the regions of Bab
al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen towards the Al-Mansouri mosque and Barad
al-Bissar in an effort to decrease the presence of gunmen in the area in
line with the implementation of a new security plan for the city.
Consequently, clashes erupted between some gunmen and the LAF as it deployed in Bab al-Tebbaneh, but the army responded to sources of gunfire.
In this context, well informed sources told LBCI that the containment of the situation in the city requires a political decision, which so far remains unavailable.
The first phase, which was launched Sunday afternoon covered the areas of Jabal Mohsen, with the army beefing up its presence after the arrival of reinforcements.
Sniping operations resumed this morning in contested areas reaching Tripoli’s international highway in al-Tebbaneh after limited skirmishes during the night.
The LAF pursued its distribution yesterday in Jabal Mohsen and brought in backup to al-Tebbaneh in preparation of the deployment in the Jabal’s surroundings.
Schools and universities near areas of conflict remain closed whereas remote educational institutions opened their doors. On the other hand, street traffic remains minimal while commercial businesses and banks are operating as usual.
The clashes have yielded further casualties, raising the toll to 13 killed and 91 injured, including 10 soldiers since the eruption of the conflict last Monday.
This as Government commissioner to the Military Tribunal, Judge Saqr Saqr commissioned the Intelligence Directorate to investigate and gather information and names of the perpetrators in Tripoli’s latest incidents especially since some of them have become known in and around the city's battle axis.
The port city of Tripoli has long been a stronghold of Sunni Islamists in northern Lebanon who support the revolt against Syrian president Bachar Assad while the area's Alawite community favors the said rule.
The city has become increasingly volatile in recent months due to ongoing civil war in neighboring Syria, and the conflicted stances between the city's locals.
To watch Edmond Sassine's report, please click on the VIDEO above