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Fresh clashes in Lebanonâ€™s Tripoli leave five dead

06 December 2012 20:19 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. At least five more people have been killed during clashes between supporters and opponents of the Syrian government in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, APA reports quoting Press TV.

Residents said most of those killed on Thursday were shot by snipers along Syria Street in the port city, situated 85 kilometers (52 miles) north of the capital Beirut, Reuters reported.

They added that three of the dead were from Jabal Mohsen neighborhood, and two were from Bab al-Tabbaneh district.

It was unclear if they were involved in the fighting or just bystanders.

Lebanese Army vehicles were posted at major road junctions near the area, and security measures were tightened.

Since Tuesday, ten people have died in clashes between the neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen, whose residents largely support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Bab al-Tabbaneh, where residents oppose the Damascus government.

The security situation in Tripoli remains fragile following recent clashes that have led to a number of deaths and injuries.

The Lebanese army units are tracking down pro- and anti-Assad gunmen and have managed to seize a quantity of machine guns, hand grenades, ammunition, and military equipment.

Tripoli has been the scene of clashes between the two groups over the past months. Several people have been killed and injured in the clashes and the fighting has forced residents to leave the volatile neighborhoods.

Although the violence in Tripoli is linked to the current conflict in Syria, some people in the city blame the Lebanese government for the continuation of the fighting.