Charbel: Second Phase of Tripoli Security Plan Not Enforced yet, Needs Political Solutions

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stated that the Lebanese army is performing its duties in the northern city of Tripoli “within its capabilities,” reported the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on Sunday.

He told the daily: “A security plan for the city has been put into effect. The first phase has been implemented, but the second one requires political agreement and solutions.”

He explained that the first phase of the plan calls for setting up security checkpoints at the entrances of the city in order to prevent the entry of booby-trapped vehicles.

The plan was devised in light of twin bombings near two mosques in the city in August, which left 45 people dead and over 800 wounded.

“The second phase of the plan needs political agreement and solutions in order for the security forces to take action on the ground,” said Charbel.

“This phase needs more than just political positions,” he added.

He therefore revealed that a meeting with caretaker Premier Najib Miqati and the security committee tasked with implementing the plan will be held after Eid al-Adha to follow up on the matter.

The Eid al-Adha holiday falls on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Asked if there is a shortage in the number of security forces to implement the plan, Charbel replied: “If we reach political agreement, then we will need no more forces than the ones currently at our disposal.”

Earlier this week, Charbel explained that the Tripoli security plan calls for the army to intervene between the gunmen in the rival Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods.

It also calls for the security forces to protect the city from bomb attacks.

The authorities have implemented a similar plan in the Hizbullah stronghold of Beirut's southern suburbs where several blasts have also left several casualties.

Clashes erupted on Friday between gunmen in Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen after the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau detained Youssef Diab, a member of the Arab Democratic Party, the main political and armed group in Jabal Mohsen.

The arrest prompted the residents and supporters of Jabal Mohsen to open fire, provoking Bab al-Tabbaneh residents.

On Saturday, General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim toured the checkpoints in Tripoli and instructed the security members to “implement the Tripoli's security plan in coordination with security agencies to maintain stability in the area.”