(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Shortly after clashes in northern Lebanon killed at least six people, new Prime Minister Najib Miqati appeared to describe as “suspicious” the timing of the incident, assuring that the civil peace is a “red line”.
“We stress that civil peace is a red line and we shall not compromise it because we understand opposition as constructive and peaceful”, Miqati said in a press conference he held in Tripoli.
At least six people were killed and several others injured when clashes erupted on Friday between gunmen positioned in the rival neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh in the northern city of Tripoli.Among the dead were a Lebanese army soldier, an official from the Arab Democratic Party and a 14-year-old boy.
“Those who think that they are above the law are mistaken,” the premier added, noting that he had ordered a probe into the deadly incidents and instructed security forces to strike with an “iron fist.”“I am confident that the situation will be contained this evening,” he reassured citizens, adding that “the army has clear orders to put an end to this sedition.”
Miqati said his government was seeking “stability and development.” “We won’t allow anyone to harm the city (Tripoli) in any way possible and when security is restored, we will begin the development process,” he pledged.
Asked whether the clashes were some kind of a “message,” Miqati said: “Security forces will put an end to this issue, and regardless of where the message came from, Tripoli will not pay the price and stability in this country is our responsibility.”
Answering another question the premier said “we can’t accuse anyone at the moment and we believe that what’s happening in Syria has nothing to do with us whatsoever.”
The army was deployed heavily around the two neighborhoods to prevent an escalation, but residents were already starting to leave, seeking safety elsewhere.
The army said in a statement that its soldiers had come under fire and that it was "conducting searches to arrest the armed men and to restore order."
Despite the military presence, shots were heard and armed men from both sides could still be seen on the street.
Earlier, some 600 people had gathered in Tripoli for a protest against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
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