REPORT: LAF soldiers fully deployed across Tripoli

Lebanese Armed Forces units fully deployed on Saturday in Tripoli's al-Zahrieh area and in the old markets of al-Nahhasin, al-Arid, al-Samak as well as al-Rahbat street and the Syriac Church's neighborhood, the army said in a statement.      

During its operations, the army arrested 20 gunmen, the state-run National News Agency reported, noting that the militants suffered casualties. 
       
"Weapons, ammunition and explosive materials were seized from the detainees," the NNA said, adding "army units are pursuing other gunmen who escaped".

Clashes in the northern city of Tripoli renewed on Saturday after easing off for several hours during the night as attempts are ongoing to contain the security situation in the city.

The National News Agency reported that the army clashed with armed men in the city's markets area as soldiers besieged the gunmen.

The agency added that the army brought reinforcements to the areas of clashes and blocked all roads leading to the markets.

Heavy shelling and gunfire were reportedly heard as the army launched its attacks on the gunmen positions.

One civilian was killed during the clashes which caused material damages to shops, buildings and vehicles.

Rocket propelled grenades, heavy, medium and light arms are used in the battles.

The Lebanese army Command issued a statement in which it said that “terrorists are seeking to destabilize the situation in Tripoli and create sectarian strife."

The statement added that the army “is carrying out raids to apprehend armed men and to refer them to the concerned judicial authorities.”

The military added that eight soldiers and several civilians were injured in the clashes including a lieutenant.

This as security sources told LBCI that Chadi al-Mawlawi was injured in the dawn clashes in Tripoli during an ambush carried out by the army.

On another note, a meeting was held at the residence of Mufti of Tripoli and the North Malek al-Shaar in Tripoli in the presence of former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, former Minister Ahmad Karami, MP Mohammad Kabbara and several Tripoli's dignitaries to discuss the security situation in the city.

Also, Mufti Shaar postponed a Muslim-Christian meeting that was scheduled to be held in Tripoli in the upcoming days.

In turn, Minister of Justice Achraf Rifi  reiterated that Tripoli's residents  support the Lebanese army and the legal state institutions.
Rifi added that no gunmen will be covered up, stressing that Tripoli will not slip into chaos.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Wael Abou Faour urged Tripoli's hospitals to received the injured on the Ministry's expense.

The identity of the gunmen and the reason behind their attack on the army were not immediately clear, but media reports said the clashes likely erupted following raids linked to the apartment in the Dinniyeh town of Asoun, where troops apprehended on Thursday the “dangerous terrorist” Ahmad Salim Mikati and killed others.

Mikati is reportedly involved in beheading the abducted Lebanese soldier Ali al-Sayyed and recruiting defected army troops for the extremist Islamic State group.

Ever since the uprising in neighboring Syria erupted in 2011, Tripoli has been the scene of regular fighting between Sunni militants and members of Lebanon's Alawite minority.

Islamist armed men have also turned on the Lebanese army, accusing it of targeting Sunnis and of cooperating with Hezbollah.

Friday's clashes were the first since the outbreak of Syria's war erupted in the souks area, which is a touristic site.

Tripoli's historic heart is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage location.