Lebanese army starts implementing plan to end Tripoli clashes

The Lebanese army units completed their deployment in the area of Jabal Mohsen in the northern city of Tripoli last night to implement a security plan in a bid to put an end to seven days of deadly clashes, state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported. "Army units have completed their deployment in Jabal Mohsen, ahead of expanding this deployment to the neighboring areas, amid a notable decline in the intensity of clashes on all frontiers which are only witnessing a minor sniper activity," NNA said. The soldier Youssef Kamal has died of wounds incurred today in Jabal Mohsen, which raises the day's death toll to three, the agency added. Earlier, NNA said the army started deploying in Jabal Mohsen's al-Nafoura, al-Masharqa and al-Amerkan area as part of a plan that will involve Jabal Mohsen, Bab al-Tabbaneh and the rest of the city. Clashes renewed on Sunday afternoon as three shells hit the entrance of the vegetable market and al-Omari Street, Voice of Lebanon radio reported. It said a man identified as Youssef Allouf was wounded by sniper fire in Jabal Mohsen, adding that sniper gunshots were targeting all fighting frontiers and that the army was shooting back at the sources of gunfire. "A hand grenade landed in Syria Street as heavy gunfire erupted on the Syria Street-Jabal Mohsen frontier," Voice of Lebanon said. The death toll from a week of clashes between Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh has risen to 14, according to a security official. The official said scores more were wounded, including 16 in the past two days alone. Earlier on Sunday, two people were killed by sniper gunfire in Jabal Mohsen, said NNA. It identified the victims as Moussa Ahmed al-Masri and Muheiddine Abdul Latif. The week-long clashes had subsided overnight, but intermittent gunshots could be heard in different areas in the city on Sunday morning, reported MTV. NNA said that sniper activity was active on Syria Street, al-Bisar, Souq al-Qameh, al-Barranieyh neighborhood, al-Baqqar area, and Jabal Mohsen. The army had deployed checkpoints along Syria Street that separates Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh, where most of the clashes are centered. The neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen have been for years witnessing deadly gunbattles, but skirmishes began to flare with increasing intensity after the Syrian uprising began in March 2011.