Hariri: Tripoli Will Not Be Transformed into Den for the Syrian Regime in Lebanon

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri condemned on Tuesday the latest round of clashes between the rival Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods in the northern city of Tripoli, saying that the city will not be used as a pawn in regional disputes.

He said in a statement: “Tripoli will not, under any circumstances, become another den of the Syrian regime and its allies in Lebanon.”

He therefore reiterated the need to transform Tripoli into an “arms-free” city.

Tripoli belongs to all of its residents regardless of their sects and affiliations, stressed Hariri.

“We are all responsible for confronting the dangers that are facing Lebanon,” he declared, while accusing Syria's allies in Lebanon of fueling the unrest in Tripoli.

“We are confident that Tripoli will overcome the difficult phase it is passing through and it will not despair in urging the state and its institutions to put an end to the disputes and instilling justice in the city,” said the head of the Mustaqbal Movement.

“We are confident that those keen on the city will not allow a deal to be struck at the expense of the rights of the victims. They will ensure that the culprits are put on trial for the terrorist bombings and other crimes that have been committed in the city,” he stated.

Tripoli has been rocked with the latest round of clashes between the neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.

Fighting linked to conflict in Syria frequently erupts between the rival neighborhoods, with residents of Bab al-Tabbaneh supporting Syrian rebels and residents of Jabal Mohsen backing the Syrian regime.

At least ten people were killed and 40 wounded in the latest round of fighting that broke out on Saturday.