Charbel Says Calm Restored in Tripoli as Army Steps up Security Measures

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed on Sunday that the situation in the northern city of Tripoli improved, pointing out that the army is carrying out its task within the available capabilities.

“The army fortified its deployment in Tripoli and entered several neighborhoods clashing with gunmen,” Charbel told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

According to the state-run National News Agency, the army carried out on Sunday patrols in Tripoli's streets and erected several checkpoints.

Charbel noted that the army opened fire at armed men on the streets of the city and detained several others.

Around seven people were killed in the clashes between the rival neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh, including a soldier, which also left 30 others wounded.

Charbel said that “heavy arms will not be used in Tripoli again after the army began implementing a security plan.”

He told the radio station that the security forces are responsible for controlling the security situation across the country whether the cabinet resigned or not.

“The tasks of security forces aren't linked to the government,” Charbel said.

The military had stepped up deployments in the northern city, carrying out raids and seizing weapons.

Charbel said that Tripoli needs around 10,000 troops to control the situation on the ground “which isn't available.”

“The security forces are carrying out their tasks within its capabilities,” he stated.

Charbel reiterated that the battles in the city are linked to the situation in the neighboring country Syria.

The gunfight erupted when a soldier was wounded along with his brother after gunmen entered the state hospital in the area of al-Qobbeh and opened fire at him.

Tripoli has been witnessing deadly clashes between supporters and opponents of the Damascus regime for several years now.

The majority of Bab al-Tabbaneh residents are Sunni and back the revolution against Syrian President Bashar Assad, while Jabal Mohsen's residents are mainly Alawites from Assad's sect.