Sleiman: Only dialogue can bring security

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman on Sunday urged all Lebanese factions and groups to have understanding and dialogue as the only path to bring security and stability to the country. Sleiman made the remarks as Lebanon's northern Tripoli city was overshadowed by renewed tension, not to mention recurrent Syrian rocket attacks from the Syrian side on several Lebanese towns. He said he was sorry for fallen civilians and military victims of recurrent tensions in Tripoli and Labweh, the presidency's information office said in a statement. The Lebanese president added that dialogue is the sole mandatory path to security ushering to a crossing into a new phase. "Politicians need to realize last but not least how acute the actual situation in order to spare their country further negative regional ramifications so sitting together on the same negotiating table, provides the only exit," Sleiman added. Earlier in the day, the Northern city of Tripoli witnessed sporadic gunfire blasts following rounds of fierce fighting among local militias that broke out last week. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said intermittent crackle of sniper and gunfire echoed from the demarcation lines of sand-bagged opposition fronts and shell-pocked buildings, but the warriors abstained from employing heavy-caliber weapons. Up to 12 people have been killed and nearly 60 others have been wounded since the current bout of clashes erupted five days ago, the NNA reported.