An international human rights organization has urged Lebanon to rein in sectarian tensions that have been on the rise amid a spillover of Syria's civil war.

Human Rights Watch said Friday that authorities should better protect minority Alawites — members of an offshoot Shiite sect — who are increasingly coming under attack by Sunnis in the northern city of Tripoli.

A ceremony was held Sunday to light a huge Christmas tree in the northern city of Tripoli, in the presence of several religious, political and social figures.

“This city will preserve its name, image and history, despite all problems,” said Tripoli's Maronite Archbishop Georges Abu Jaoude.

The March 14 camp announced on Sunday the Tripoli Declaration, which calls for national reconciliation in the city.

It said: “The reconciliation should be held after calm has been restored in Tripoli.”

Higher Relief Council acting chief General Mohammed Kheir inspected on Saturday a residential building feared that it would collapse in the northern city of Tripoli.

Kheir held a meeting with the residents of the building which is located in Abi Samra district and was evacuated on Friday after cracks began appearing in its walls and foundations.

A residential building, whose owner had violated construction regulations in the northern city of Tripoli, was evacuated on Friday over fears it would collapse, municipal chief Nader Ghazal said.

The state-run National News Agency said the building, which is located in Abi Samra district, was evacuated after cracks began appearing in its walls and foundations.

Two residents of the Jabal Mohsen district in the northern city of Tripoli were injured on Wednesday when assailants shot them as part of the sectarian attacks gripping the city.

Samer al-Aswad was wounded in his abdomen while Haidar Soaifan was shot in his leg, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The Criminal Court of Appeals approved on Tuesday a Military Tribunal decision to reject the preliminary pleadings of Hiyam Eid, the lawyer of former MP and Arab Democratic Party leader Ali Eid, over her client's failure to abide by a summons for health reasons.

The Criminal Court of Appeals deemed the lawyer's pleadings as “unconvincing”.

Arab Democratic Party politburo chief Rifaat Eid has said he would comply with a subpoena over recent warnings he made against members of the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch.

In remarks to As Safir daily published on Monday, Eid said he “will comply” with the search and investigation warrant issued against him and face the court when the circumstances allow him to do so.

Former Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi voiced on Saturday his support to the army's procedures in the northern city if Tripoli, remarking that there is no stability if justice was not achieved.

“We urge citizens to cooperate with security forces to achieve stability in Tripoli,” Rifi said after holding talks with the city's MPs at his house.

A shop owned by an Alawite was set on fire on Saturday in Souq al-Qamh area in the northern city of Tripoli, media reports said.

The arson was allegedly caused after Ziad Allouki torched a shop owned by Firas Hashem from Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods.