Four people were killed in the northern city of Tripoli in overnight clashes between rival gunmen, the result of the spillover of the Syrian war, the state-run National News Agency reported on Saturday.

NNA said the city witnessed the deadly gunbattles on Friday night, but the clashes subsided after 1:00 am.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Saturday issued a stern warning that the northern city of Tripoli will not be a “mailbox,” saying the ball is now in the court of the armed forces that will use all their means to end the deadly fighting between rival gunmen.

“The army command and the leaders of the security forces informed officials that they will use all the authorities given to them after they exerted all efforts to restore security and stability in Tripoli,” Miqati told officials who visited him at the Grand Serail.

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.

Phalange Party Central Committee Coordinator MP Sami Gemayel blamed the ongoing clashes in the northern city of Tripoli on the state's “inability to control the possession of arms.”

"The state is unable to control the possession of weapons or the situation in Tripoli,” Gemayel said after holding talks with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Maarab.

Former Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi accused Hizbullah on Friday of supplying armed gangs in the northern city of Tripoli with arms and money.

"Hizbullah is supporting these armed gangs in Tripoli and providing them with weapons and money,” Rifi said at a press conference he held in Tripoli.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Friday that a possible decision by Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam to give up his task to form the new government would be shameful for all the lawmakers who named him during binding consultations with the president.

In remarks to reporters at Rafik Hariri International Airport upon his return from the Qatari capital, al-Rahi said: “Such a possible decision would be shameful for all the MPs who unanimously named it.”

Two people were killed and at least 15 injured in heavy clashes that rattled the northern city of Tripoli on Friday as the military prosecution began acting against the warring sides, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The latest casualty was Jabal Mohsen resident Katia Khodr, a 22-year-old mother of two, who died from gunshot wounds she suffered on Thursday, a security official told Agence France Presse.

Salafist cleric Sheikh Salem al-Rafehi on Thursday slammed the state for failing to stop the violence in Tripoli, accusing Jabal Mohsen's Arab Democratic Party of starting the new round of fighting in the city.

“Tripoli is being shelled since four days at the hands of a criminal party despite the presence of the security plan,” Rafehi said following a meeting for clerics and leaders of Bab al-Tabbaneh's fighting frontiers.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati condemned on Thursday the renewal of clashes between the rival Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods in the northern city of Tripoli, saying that its residents feel like pawns in regional schemes.

He said after holding a security meeting with President Michel Suleiman on the latest developments in the city: “There is no other option for Tripoli but resorting to the state.”

Two people were killed on Thursday and 21 others were injured, including a soldier, in renewed fighting and sniper activity in the northern city of Tripoli, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The fighting had reportedly escalated following the death of Arab Democratic Party top military official Bassam Abdullah in Jabal Mohsen.