Suleiman, Miqati, Qahwaji Stress Need to Completely Implement Tripoli Security Plan

President Michel Suleiman, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji discussed on Tuesday the implementation of the security plan in Tripoli aimed at containing the tensions in the northern city.

They stressed the need to “completely implement the security plan.”

Qahwaji also informed the two officials of the army's progress in imposing the plan and the phases that have so far been taken on the ground.

The talks at the Baabda Palace also tackled the latest political and security developments.

Later on Tuesday, Miqati held talks at the Grand Serail with a delegation from the Muslim Ulemas Committee led by Salafist cleric Sheikh Salem al-Rafehi, imam of the al-Taqwa Mosque which was targeted by a deadly blast in August.

The conferees discussed “the situation in the city of Tripoli and the measures taken to restore security, calm and stability,” the National News Agency said.

During the meeting, Miqati stressed that “the Lebanese army and security forces are pressing on with their strict security measures in the city,” noting that “the priority is for consolidating security and restoring normalcy in Tripoli.”

“My duty and conscience oblige me to exert efforts to put an end to the bloodshed and protect the lives and properties of Tripoli's residents,” Miqati added.

The premier also pointed out that he is “following up on the course of investigations into the case of the twin bombings that hit two mosques in Tripoli with the aim of arresting all the culprits and referring them to the judiciary.”

Clashes erupted last week between Tripoli's rival Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods, leavings scores of casualties.

The Lebanese army deployed on Tuesday along Syria Street, the road that separates the two neighborhoods.

Three soldiers were wounded on Monday during a clash with gunmen as troops deployed in Bab al-Tabbaneh, whose residents are mostly Sunni and back the rebellion against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The military had earlier deployed in Jabal Mohsen that is mainly Alawite, the sect of Assad.

The two neighborhoods have repeatedly witnessed rounds clashes that have only grown in intensity after the eruption of the uprising in Syria in March 2011.