Kabbara Urges Cooperation with Army to Restore Security after Sniper Fire Kills 4 in Tripoli

Al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Mohammed Kabbara on Monday called for the government's departure and the formation of a salvation government, urging Tripoli's residents to “fully cooperate with the army in order to restore security,” after four people were killed and 18 others wounded in clashes in the northern city.

“Security in the city of Tripoli is a red line,” said Kabbara, reciting a statement issued after a meeting for Tripoli's dignitaries at his residence.

Clashes broke out between the supporters and opponents of the Syrian regime in the northern city of Tripoli on Sunday morning before the funeral of slain Intelligence Bureau head Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan, who was killed Friday in a car bombing blamed on Syria.

The conferees called on the army and security forces to “fully practice their role in restoring security, preventing any violations and creating a safe environment in the city, especially with the advent of the Eid al-Adha holiday.”

They stressed that “any security chaos does not serve the cause of the sovereign forces, but rather the interests of those plotting against Lebanon."

"The army will restore security and we urge Tripoli's residents to fully comply with security forces and deal with things wisely, because security forces will start erecting checkpoints in Tripoli and staging patrols to arrest anyone who disrupts security," said the statement.

Asked about the sit-in outside Prime Minister Najib Miqati's residence in Tripoli, Kabbara stressed that “the sit-in is peaceful, democratic and civilized and an expression by school and university students.”

“We will work strongly to topple this government in a democratic manner,” Kabbara added.

The city witnessed sniper activity on Monday morning between the rival districts of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh as four people were reportedly killed and 26 others wounded overnight.

Mahmoud Khaled al-Masri, 21, was shot in the heart by sniper gunmen in Bab al-Tabbaneh, while Lina Moustapha Hawwa was killed in Jabal Mohsen.

According to the National News Agency, Syrian national Abdul Baset al-Jasem was wounded in his legs and was admitted to hospital.

On Sunday night, nine-year-old Jana Bilal Kamal Eddine was killed while her brother, 1, sustained injuries in sporadic gunfire between the rival neighborhoods.

The rival districts have been gripped by frequent fighting between pro- and anti-Assad supporters as tensions spilled across the border from Syria, reflecting a split between Lebanon's parties where the March 14-led opposition backs the revolt in Syria, while a ruling coalition led by Hizbullah supports the Damascus regime.