Army Deploys in Some Tripoli Flashpoints, Fighting Frontiers Leaders Still Reluctant

Army units on Sunday started implementing a security plan in Tripoli by deploying in Jabal Mohsen and Syria Street, the frontier that separates the neighborhood from the rival Bab al-Tabbaneh district, state-run National News Agency reported.

Meanwhile, LBCI television said the army also deployed in the al-Qobbeh and al-Riva areas.

The cautious calm that engulfed the city during the day was interrupted by intermittent gunfire and sniper activity.

According to LBCI, sniper fire killed Mohammed Hourani and wounded Zahia Wannous in Jabal Mohsen while a man was injured in the Barrad al-Bisar area.

MTV reported that the leaders of the fighting frontiers in Bab al-Tabbaneh and al-Qobbeh have failed so far to agree on a proposed ceasefire.

LBCI said fighters loyal to prominent gunman Saad al-Masri are obstructing the process.

Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) reported that some of the leaders of the fighting frontiers have demanded the arrest of Rifaat Eid, secretary-general of the Arab Democratic Party, the main armed and political force in Jabal Mohsen.

Later on Sunday, Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) said a meeting was underway at Aisha Mosque in al-Qobbeh in a bid to convince the leaders of the fighting frontiers to allow the army to continue its deployment.

Meanwhile, the Arab Democratic Party held a meeting and issued a statement confirming its "commitment to the decisions of the Lebanese army."

"We are with the deployment of the Lebanese army in all areas and we demand the deployment of the Lebanese army in Bab al-Tabbaneh and we ask it to shoot back at the sources of gunfire, even if these sources were in Jabal Mohsen, in line with all the statements we issued in the past," the party added.

It reassured "our people in Tripoli that Jabal Mohsen cannot attack the city of which it is a main component."

The party also voiced surprise over "the absence of the president of the republic" Michel Suleiman, "who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and who is supposed to play a key role in addressing the deteriorating situations” in Tripoli.

Thirty-one people have been killed and more than 200 wounded in clashes that erupted last Sunday between Jabal Mohsen and the neighboring districts.