U.S. Expresses 'Deep' Concern over Tripoli, Tariq al-Jadideh Unrest

The United States is deeply concerned with the continued violence in the northern city of Tripoli and “attempts to spark violence” in Beirut’s Tariq al-Jadideh neighborhood, said the U.S. Embassy via Twitter on Friday.

“We call on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon’s stability and security,” it said.

“The U.S. commends the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces' efforts to work together and maintain calm in Lebanon,” it added.

“The U.S. remains committed to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon,” tweeted the embassy.

Twelve people were killed and over 75 were wounded in the latest round of clashes that erupted in Tripoli over the weekend in light of news that Lebanese fighters had been killed in an ambush in the Syrian border town of Tall Kalakh on November 30.

The fighters, who mainly hail from the North and were seeking to fight alongside the Syrian opposition, were killed in an ambush by Syrian regime forces.

A mortar shell was found on Thursday in a garbage dumpster in the Tariq al-Jadideh neighborhood in Beirut.

The security forces dismantled the shell that was set to explode.

Mustaqbal MP Ammar Houri had stated on Thursday that he was headed to the area where the shell was discovered, suspecting that it may have been part of an attempt on his life.