Salam Holds Security Meeting as Tension Rises in Tripoli

A security meeting took place on Friday evening in the Grand Serail to discuss the latest developments in the northern city of Tripoli.

The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Tammam Salam and was attended by Interior Ministe Nouhad Mashnouq, Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi and Minister of Social Affaris Rashid Derbas.

On ground, Tripoli witnessed a tensed evening as three stun grenades were hurled on the international highway.

"Unknown assailants hurled three stun grenades on the al-Khnaq bridge on Tripoli's international highway,” the state-run National News Agency reported.

The NNA explained that the bombs were thrown when “a group of men was protesting to demand the release of a detainee held by security forces few days ago.”

"Army troops opened fire in the air to disperse the protesters.”

OTV had noted that a hand grenade was hurled near Bank Audi at the Muharram intersection in the northern city.

Meanwhile, radio Voice of Lebanon (93.3) said a bomb hit the Baal Darawish area in Tripoli.

Later in the evening, two stun grenades were hurled on the Bab al-Ramel cemetery in the city, according to the NNA.

"Army units have deployed in the Bab al-Ramel area and its surroundings," al-Jadeed television said.

On Thursday, an Arab Democratic Party official was killed in the area of al-Mina.

Abdul Rahman Diab, known as Aboudi Nwasi, was gunned down in his car by an unidentified motorcyclist.

The slain man, who is an Alawite residing in Jabal Mohsen, is the father of Youssef Diab who is in detention as he was charged along with several others in connection with the August bombings of the two mosques in Tripoli.

“We are still counting on the state to arrest Diab's killers and we're holding a series of meetings and consultations with the dignitaries to take a decision whose responsibility would be shouldered by everyone,” Arab Democratic Party politburo chief Rifaat Eid told LBCI on Friday.

"Jabal Mohsen residents took to the streets in the evening to demand the arrest of Diab's killers," the NNA said.