REPORT: Tripolis security plan kicks off, LAF raid homes of ADP...

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The Lebanese army is conducting raids in Tripoli's al-Hara al-Berranieh after it started implementing, in cooperation with the security apparatuses, the security plan in Lebanon's northern city.

Army units conducted motorized patrols, established checkpoints, raided wanted persons and arrested a number of fugitives who were handed over to the concerned authorities, the army said in a statement on Tuesday.

This comes as the LAF deployed heavily on Tuesday in Tripoli as part of a security plan put forth in an attempt to end violence in the city.

Army units deployed since 6:00 a.m. in al-Qobbeh and Jabal Mohsen regions, and carried out raids. Two army choppers flew over the northern Lebanese city, and checkpoints were set up as intensified patrols were carried out.

Internal Security Forces said 20 people were arrested as part of the security plan, while ADP sources told LBCI that the Lebanese army arrested 4 persons from the Jabal Mohsen neighborhood.

Tripoli's schools and universities opened their doors and normal traffic was reported. The Lebanese army will start deployment in the Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhood as of Wednesday.

Earlier, security sources had told As-Safir newspaper that the implementation of the security plan in both the Bekaa region and Tripoli will kick off as of today (Tuesday).

The same sources added that the security apparatuses were given direct orders to be firm while implementing the plan.

The sources did not deny media reports stating that Arab Democratic Party leader Ali Eid and his son Refaat fled Tripoli to an unknown destination. LAF units had raided the villa of the Arab Democratic Party leader Ali Eid, who remains at large.

Also on Tuesday, the State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr convicted 21 persons in the case of the double blast that targeted two mosques in Tripoli last summer.

Among the convicted were Ali Eid and the head of the Islamic Tawhid Movement-Command Council, Sheikh Hashem Minkara.

According to the daily, Minister of Interior Nouhad Machnouq is coordinating with the Lebanese Armed Forces and security apparatuses in this regard.

In the same context, Minister Mashnouq discussed with the Central Internal Security Forces Council the implementation of the security plan, stressing that the deployment of security forces should be done in a strict and responsible manner.

Last week, the cabinet tasked the army and security forces with controlling the security situation in Tripoli and the eastern Bekaa Valley in areas bordering Syria.

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 death toll from the latest round of clashes, which erupted last Thursday, reaped a death toll of at least 23 people while the number of injured increased to over 157.

To watch Edmond Sassine's report, please click on the VIDEO above