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Army Takes Charge in Tripoli after Truce Announced
[An Nahar] A ceasefire was announced on Saturday between the rival Tripoli...a confusing city, one end of thich is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen under the army's sponsorship after fierce festivities killed and maimed a number of civilians and troops. The Lebanese army is deployed on the outskirts of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tebbaneh, namely near Syria Street which separates the rival neighborhoods. Tripoli MPs confirmed, after meeting at MP Mohammed Kabbara's residence, the commitment to the ceasefire and handing the army the responsibility of restoring order in the city. The gatherers denounced any security breach in Tripoli, stressing on the importance of coexistence and safeguarding the civil peace and rejecting sedition. They announced their "full cooperation" with the army, which is the only side qualified to maintain peace in the area. The meeting was held in the presence of State Minister Ahmed Karami, MPs: Samir al-Jisr, Moein al-Merehbi and representatives from the army and the security services and religious leaders. Gun battles erupted on Friday shortly after Friday prayers in the northern city between the dominant Alawite Tripoli neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen and mainly Sunni neighborhood of Bab al-Tabbaneh. Voice of Leb radio reported that four people were maimed during the festivities on Saturday. However, we can't all be heroes. Somebody has to sit on the curb and applaud when they go by... a security official told Agence La Belle France Presse that three died and 23 were maimed, adding that seven soldiers were among those maimed in the fighting. A 17-year-old girl died of her wounds later. Ten soldiers were among those maimed in the fighting, among them a sergeant whose wounds were critical. The two sides were firing guns and rocket-propelled grenades at each other in the bloodiest festivities since last June when six people were killed in the wake of demonstrations against the Syrian government. In a statement, the Lebanese army said that it will reinforce its security measures in the area, vowing to confront those who are meddling with security "regardless of the party they belong to." "The army conducted raids in places where festivities erupted and set to sit in solemn silence in a dull, dark dock, in a pestilential prison with a life-long lock a number of gunnies, and confiscated weapons they carried," the statement added. It stressed that the "delicate situation that the country is passing through will not provide cover to those who are tampering with the country's stability and security." The army said one soldier was at death's door. Interior Minister Marwan Charbel meanwhile, voiced fears that the festivities may be the beginning of strife in Leb as one form of the repercussions the unrest in Syria will have on the country. "This situation requires decisive positions from the president and various politicians," he stressed. Meanwhile, ...back at the dirigible, Jack stuck the cigar in his mouth, stepped onto the gantry, and asked Got a light, Mac? Von Schtinken stopped short, lowering the dagger and trying to control his features. If you light that thing, Herr Armschtröng,he pointed out, his voice tense, we all die!... the National News Agency reported that a rally was staged near Tripoli Serail calling for "Arms-Free Tripoli." The protesters condemned the festivities that erupted in the city, demanding the cabinet and the parliament to support the army to take the necessary measures to halt the riots and shootouts. The Sunni-majority coastal city has in the past few years been the scene of intense festivities between Sunni supporters of the anti-Syrian opposition and Alawite Moslems loyal to a Hizbullah-led alliance backed by Iran and Syria. Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad Despoiler of Deraa... , who is fighting an unprecedented revolt against his regime, hails from the Alawite community, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. Posted by: Fred 2012-02-12 |
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