Plumbly from Tripoli: Long-Term Security, Economic, Social Solutions Needed in City
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly welcomed the temporary halt of violence in the northern city of Tripoli, but said that long-term measures are needed in order to thwart its recurrence.
He said from Tripoli: “What is needed are long-term security, but also economic and social solutions.”
He made his remarks after holding separate talks with caretaker Youth and Sports Minister Faisal Karami and Tripoli and the North Mufti Sheikh Malek al-Shaar.
“We welcome the measures taken by the Lebanese army and the security forces, in parallel with concerted political efforts, to halt the violence and to restore relative calm to the city,” Plumbly added.
“The people of Tripoli deserve a dignified, secure and stable life as all Lebanese people do. The present situation should not be allowed to continue,” he said.
“I also encourage all sides to respect and cooperate with state institutions, particularly the security authorities who have a significant burden as they work to keep Lebanon safe from the impact of the crisis in neighboring Syria,” he continued.
The international community and the United Nations recognize these efforts and are committed to continue supporting them and enhancing their capabilities, he stressed.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to praise Tripoli and the people of Tripoli for the hospitality and generosity they have shown to thousands of people displaced from neighboring Syria despite the difficult conditions in their city,” Plumbly added
The United Nations is working closely with the Lebanese authorities and other NGOs to ensure that the needs of the refugees are met until they can return to their country, he concluded.
The U.N. official is scheduled to meet with a number of political officials in Tripoli later on Thursday.
At least 14 people were killed and more than 80 wounded during last week's clashes between Tripoli's rival neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.
On Sunday, the army deployed in Jabal Mohsen as part of a security plan to put an end to seven days of deadly clashes in the northern city. Three soldiers were wounded on Monday as army troops deployed in Bab al-Tabbaneh.
The fighting broke out on October 21 as celebratory gunfire erupted in Jabal Mohsen over Syrian President Bashar Assad’s appearance on al-Mayadeen television for an interview.
The neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen have been for years witnessing deadly gunbattles, but skirmishes began to flare with increasing intensity after the Syrian uprising began in March 2011.
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