Region | Lebanon
Heavy gunfire in Lebanon's Tripoli, one wounded
PM asks head of army to take necessary measures to halt demonstrations
- Reuters
- Published: 20:50 February 10, 2012
- Image Credit: AP
- Supporters of an Islamic group, the Tahrir party, wave their party flags and shout slogans as they march during a demonstration against the Syrian regime in Tripoli on Friday.
Beirut: Heavy gunfire broke out in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on Friday as armed supporters and opponents of President Bashar Al Assad took to the streets after a demonstration against the Syrian leader, residents said.
Two rocket propelled grenades were fired and at least one person was wounded by stray gunfire, a security source said.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati told the head of the army to "take necessary measures to halt these events" in the city.
The coastal city is dominated by Sunnis who support the 11-month uprising against Assad in neighbouring Syria, but is also home to members of Al Assad's Alawite minority.
Residents said the rocket-propelled grenades were fired from the Sunni district Bab Al Tabbaneh towards the Alawite district of Jebel Mohsin, but caused no injuries.
The rival districts often clash, but tensions have heightened sharply since the outbreak of unrest in Syria. Friday's violence came after hundreds of people demonstrated in Tripoli against Al Assad following prayers.
Local security and medical sources said two soldiers and four civilians were wounded, but their reports could not be immediately verified.
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