Tripoli Figures Urge Restraint, Accuse Jabal Mohsen of Stirring Clashes to 'Cover Up for Crimes'

A number of Tripoli's dignitaries on Friday called on the city's residents to show “restraint,” warning that “the gang in Jabal Mohsen wants to drag the city into strife in order to cover up” for the deadly bombings that hit two mosques in Tripoli.

“The top security officials have failed to perform their duties in preserving the city's security and stability and we cannot remain silent over this issue,” said a statement recited by MP Mohammed Kabbara following a meeting at his residence.

The conferees lauded President Michel Suleiman's efforts, but stressed the need to “capitalize on these efforts through finding a drastic solution aimed at putting an end to what's happening in the city,” noting that they would discuss the issue with Suleiman and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

“Tripoli has the right to enjoy security and stability,” the statement said, urging residents to “show restraint to avoid dragging Tripoli into conflicts that only serve those who are plotting against the city.”

“Investigations have proved that the armed gang in Jabal Mohsen is behind the terror and crimes and it must be dealt with accordingly,” said the statement, adding that “this gang crowned its attacks with the terrorist crime that targeted the al-Salam and al-Taqwa mosques, in which the involvement of a group from Jabal Mohsen that is loyal to the Syrian regime has been proven by the investigations.”

Five days of clashes between the rival Tripoli neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh have left at least five people dead and 50 others wounded.

State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr has charged seven people, three of whom are in custody, in connection with the August bombings that rocked two mosques in Tripoli.

Three of those charged are in detention and the other four are at large. The majority of them are residents of Jabal Mohsen, where the pro-Damascus Arab Democratic Party has a strong influence.

The party has strongly denied any involvement in the attacks and accused the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau of politicizing the charges.