Naharnet

Suleiman to Chair Security Meeting to Tackle Developments in Tripoli

A security meeting is scheduled to be held on Sunday afternoon in order to tackle the situation in the northern city of Tripoli, reported An Nahar daily on Sunday.

President Michel Suleiman will chair the meeting that will be held at 5:30 p.m.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, Army Intelligence chief Brigadier General Edmond Fadel, and acting Internal Security Forces chief Ibrahim Basbous.

Tripoli had witnessed a number of clashes in recent weeks between the rival Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods that have left scores dead and injured.

Tensions were also high in the city after a subpoena was issued against Arab Democratic Party leader Ali Eid on Thursday.

Eid has been charged along with his driver Ahmed Ali with helping Ahmed Merhi, who is the suspected driver of the explosive-laden vehicle that blew up near al-Taqwa mosque in the northern city of Tripoli, to escape justice.

His son, Rifaat, on Saturday slammed the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau as a “spy agency working against Lebanon's interests,” stressing that his father will not go to the ISF's office for questioning.

“We will act only in accordance to the law,” he said, making a veiled threat that killing ISF members was permissible.

Later on Saturday night, the ISF filed a report with judicial authorities against Rifaat Eid.

“The ISF General Directorate filed a complained with the Public Prosecution, demanding the adoption of the necessary procedures against Eid that permitted the killing of Intelligence Bureau staff,” Future TV said.

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel meanwhile on Saturday condemned Rifaat Eid's “terrorist” statements, warning that his comments are "punishable by law."

Forty-five people were killed and 800 injured in car bomb blasts that targeted the al-Taqwa and al-Salam mosques in Tripoli on August 23.


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