New round of fighting in Tripoli claims 11 lives

Eleven Lebanese people have been killed and 112 others injured in clashes ongoing since Saturday in the northern city of Tripoli. Despite sporadic exchange of fire, the city enjoys relative calm after the deployment of the army troops along the frontline of fighters in Bab Al-Tabanah and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods, the National News Agency (NNA) reported on Tuesday. Under a government decree issued yesterday, the army is mandated to control all security services and restore the rule of law in the city; its troops arrested 21 militants from both sides so far, according to the NNA report. In a related development, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the army has a full political backing for its mission in the restive city. "All political forces are unanimous in supporting the military mission in Tripoli. No politician can cover up for law violators," Miqati told a press conference in the city. "The army is empowered to take whatever measure it deems necessary to control the city and bring to justice the culprits of the bomb blasts at Al-Taqwa and Al-Salam mosques in last August," he added