http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=109410
Machine guns, RPGs fired as Tripoli family clashes with Islamists Daily Star staff Friday, December 04, 2009 BEIRUT: A group of youths from the Hassoun family clashed on Thursday with "party members" in the neighborhood of Abu Samra in the northern coastal city of Tripoli, according to a report carried by the state-run National News Agency (NNA). But the NNA report did not specify the exact identity of the group it referred to as "party members" but other media reports said the Hassoun family clashed with members of the Islamic Tawhid Movement, an Islamist group based in Tripoli. Machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades were used during the clashes on Thursday and resulted in the injury of two men, who were rushed to close-by hospitals in Tripoli. According to the NNA, tensions flared after a group of people opened fire on a car transporting members from the Hassoun family Wednesday night. On Thursday, the Lebanese Army deployed extensive patrols in Abu Samra to contain the clashes and restore calm to the neighborhood. In recent years, Tripoli has been the scene of sectarian clashes between the Sunni and Alawite communities in the city. Clashes were mainly centered in the city's neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh, which are only a few meters apart. The Lebanese Army has kept permanent posts in both neighborhoods to prevent the renewal of the fighting. But Thursday's Abu Samra incident was not tied to the Sunni-Alawite tensions in the city. Former Prime Minister and serving Tripoli MP Najib Mikati called on security forces to work on preserving security and stability in the city. Mikati urged the Internal Security Forces and the Army Thursday to "step up measures." - The Daily Star [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
