Lebanon’s Tripoli crisis escalates; cease-fire fails

Deadly clashes in Lebanon’s Tripoli between supporters and opponents of the Assad regime reignited overnight and Friday morning, killing two people, one a young Sunni sheikh.

Press TV’s correspondent reported that sheikh Khaled al-Baradei, 28, was killed by sniper-fire at dawn on Friday, adding that rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and rocket fire was used during the fight.

For its part, Lebanese authorities announced today that two men were killed and 60 injured in the ongoing fighting between the Sunni and Alawites in Tripoli. According to the locals, Alawites and Sunnis have exchanged gunfire and grenades since Monday night. It doesn't appear that the violence will end soon.

Medical sources told the Future TV that more than 85 people were wounded in the exchange of rocket fire on Friday.

During the day, the threat of snipers in several districts of Tripoli remained. In particular, they targeted foreign journalists including the team sent by Sky News Arabia television.

Media reports said that snipers were also targeting neighborhoods far from the contested areas, adding that sniper fire has reached the highway leading to Syria.

Lebanese television channel MTV reported that armed men were deployed early afternoon in different parts of the city, especially in Jabal Mohsen (pro-Syrian regime and Alawite). The MTV correspondent also said that the security level provided by the army is not sufficient, adding that the army was not responding to the sources of the fire.

The Lebanese news agency said earlier this afternoon that seven Lebanese soldiers were wounded by snipers on the streets between the rival neighborhoods.

However, the clashes continued as the truce was violated three times before. Some sources said they are seeking for a new truce tonight, on the other hand another source said the situation is not suitable for any new truce, LBC correspondent said.

Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon held talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on the crisis and remains focused on protecting Lebanon's stability and sovereignty, the Lebanese news agency reported.

More as it becomes available.

Sources:

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/08/24/233910.html

http://news.yahoo.com/syria-spillover-clashes-escalate-lebanon-095512930.html