ISF Begin Deployment in Rival Neighborhoods in Tripoli

Internal Security Forces units began deploying in the neighborhoods of the northern city of Tripoli on Monday to implement phase two of a security plan that aims at maintaining stability in the city.

Units will be deployed in various neighborhoods of the city, including the rival neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.

According to the state-run National News Agency police chief of the northern city of Tripoli Brig. Gen. Bassam al-Ayyoubi supervised the deployment of the forces, which will be accompanied by armored personnel carriers.

“We will establish fixed checkpoints in Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh and mobile patrols between the two neighborhoods,” Ayyoubi said.

He also pointed out that all parties welcomed the security plan.

On Saturday the caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel launched stage-two of a security plan to be implemented in the inflamed city of Tripoli that has been witnessing frequent Syria-linked battles, that pits Sunnis from Bab al-Tabbaneh against Alawites in Jabal Mohsen.

He called on the resident of the northern city of Tripoli to cooperate with security forces to maintain security in the city, urging officials to resolve their political disputes during a national dialogue session.

However, hours after Charbel's conference clashes flared up between gunmen and a security checkpoint in the Old Saraya vicinity in Tripoli.

Most Sunnis support Syria's revolt against President Bashar Assad, while Alawites, who belong to the same Shiite-offshoot sect as Assad, support his regime.

The latest fighting ended when the army deployed along Syria Street, which separates the two districts and acts as the makeshift frontline.

Tripoli suffered horrific car bomb explosions near two mosques in August, killing 45 people.

As Safir newspaper reported on Monday that Army Chief General Jean Qahwaji informed officials that army checkpoints and stations in Tripoli, in particular on the entrances of Bab al-Tabbaneh, will not be moved.

“The army will be ready to act, when needed, to support the Internal Security Forces,” Qahwaji said according to As Safir.