Army says deadly clashes in Tripoli broke out at checkpoint
Deadly clashes that erupted in Tripoli early Friday were triggered when a vehicle refused to stop at an army checkpoint, the Lebanese Army Command said in a statement.
According to the statement, a passenger of a car threw a grenade at a Lebanese Army checkpoint as the vehicle was crossing Syria-Tripoli Avenue.
Shortly afterward, a second car crossed the checkpoint without stopping, despite repeated orders from soldiers, who then opened fire in the direction of the car. One passenger was killed, while two others were wounded. All were transported to the Islamic Hospital in Tripoli.
Shortly thereafter, a patrol in Bab al-Tebbaneh came under gunfire, and the soldiers returned fire. According to the army statement, security forces followed the perpetrators and took measures to restore order, and an investigation into the incidents has been opened.
Security officials relating the events to AFP said one person was killed and six were wounded in the incidents.
They said one individual died and two others were wounded when the vehicle refused to stop at an army roadblock in the largely Sunni district of Bab al-Tebbaneh.
The exchange of fire between fighters from Bab al-Tebbaneh and members of the internal security forces resulted in four soldiers being wounded, one of them seriously.
The army had stepped up its security measures and was on alert after the grenade explosion in Bab al-Tebbaneh, the sources added.
Fighting and grenade blasts are commonplace between the neighboring districts of Bab al-Tebbaneh – where most residents are Sunni supporters of Premier Fouad Siniora – and Jabal Mohsen, largely supporters of the parliamentary opposition.
Fourteen people have been killed and more than 100 wounded since June in clashes between the two neighborhoods. Calm had returned last week after the army moved deployed.
MP Ahmad Fatfat of the Future Movement said the violence in North Lebanon was "damaging to the whole country."
Speaking to Voice of Lebanon radio station on Friday, Fatfat said Lebanese security forces have not proven strong enough in facing violations.
"However," he added, "the blame should not be laid on the security forces, as they have potential but are afraid of being seen as taking sides, which might lead to political problems."