Suleiman Asks Army, Security Forces to Control Situation in Tripoli
President Michel Suleiman revealed on Thursday evening that he asked security forces and the army to deploy the necessary units to control the security situation in the northern city of Tripoli.
Suleiman's request came as Tripoli has been witnessing intense clashes between the city's rival neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh.
"It is not acceptable that the bloodshed continues in Tripoli,” Suleiman said on Twitter, urging all officials to work on "saving" the northern city.
"Tripoli's residents and children deserve to live in peace as they represent religious coexistence."
Suleiman noted: “I have asked security forces and the army to deploy the necessary units that could control the security situation in Tripoli.”
Two people were killed on Thursday and 21 others were injured, including a soldier, in renewed fighting and sniper activity in the northern city of Tripoli, the state-run National News Agency reported.
The fighting had reportedly escalated following the death of Arab Democratic Party top military official Bassam Abdullah in Jabal Mohsen.
Thursday's casualties bring the toll from four days of fighting to three dead and 60 injured including nine soldiers, according to NNA.
Earlier in the day, Suleiman urged easing the formation of the cabinet to “preserve the idea” of a national unity cabinet that the president had suggested.
"We also call for resuming national dialogue that would be based on the conclusions of previous sessions, especially on the principals of the Baabda Declaration,” he said during the inauguration of the President Michel Suleiman Boulevard in Baabda and of the new municipality building in al-Metn's neighborhood of Hazmieh.
The president stated that boycotting the parliament's work is “not democratic.”
"Democracy stipulates meeting together, holding talks and voting,” he stressed.
Suleiman also pointed out to the importance of following-up with and executing the international community's decisions that were reached in New York, concerning the promised support for Lebanon to deal with the influx of Syrian refugees.
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