Syria-related clashes in Tripoli continue for third day

Armed citizens gather in Tripoli. (Photo The Daily Star)

Gun battles in the north city of Tripoli, which killed two people and wounded 17 Saturday, resumed Sunday between the pre-dominantly Alawite neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen and the mainly Sunni district of Bab al-Tabbaneh in the northern city of Tripoli. The two neighbourhoods,  both rather poor, are notorious for the frequent.clashes that have been taking place between them.  There were fights in 2008 and 2011, for instance. The present fighting, like the fighting in 2011, is directly related to the tensions in Syria. The Alawites of Jabal Mohsen are supporters of the Assad-regime, while the Sunnis of Bab al-Tabbaneh side with the opposition. 
One of the wounded from Saturday’s clashes included a teenage girl who is in critical condition.
The Lebanese Army, which stepped in Friday to stem the violence, saw at least six of its members wounded.
Heavy shooting was heard on Sunday throughout the rival neighborhoods. Security sources told Lebajese newspaper The Daily Star on Saturday that the Lebanese Army had been ordered to arrest on sight anyone carrying weapons.