Miqati Rules Out Jabal Mohsen-Tabbaneh Clashes: Tripoli Residents Clinging to State Authority

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Monday lauded the “rational reaction” of Tripoli's residents following the deadly bombings that hit two mosques in the city, stressing that they don't want an alternative to state authority.

“I hailed the rational reaction of the city which is the result of the directions of the imams, who called for avoiding strife, autonomous security and vigilante groups,” Miqati said after offering condolences to Sheikh Salem al-Rafehi, imam of the blast-hit al-Taqwa Mosque.

“Tripoli's residents are clinging to state authority and the official security agencies,” Miqati added.

He noted that housing compensations will be paid to those whose apartments were badly damaged in the blasts starting Tuesday morning.

Miqati declined to answer a question about the ongoing probe, saying "these investigations are being conducted by the security and judicial authorities, which are performing their role fully and according to the norms, and any development will be announced in official statements."

Answering another question, Miqati said: "The cabinet is acting in caretaker capacity but that doesn't mean that it is negligent in shouldering its responsibilities and it is performing its duties according to the constitutional norms.”

“It has unveiled a lot of things and the issues must not be blown out of proportion,” the premier added.

Separately, Miqati ruled out any deterioration of security in the Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhoods, which witness frequent sectarian clashes.

Around 45 people were killed and more than 800 others wounded in twin bombings that targeted the al-Salam and al-Taqwa mosques in Tripoli on Friday.