Lebanese soldiers are deployed on a street in Tripoli Lebanese troops backed by helicopters deployed in strength in Tripoli on Tuesday in the first stage of a plan aimed at quelling deadly Syria-linked violence in the northern city. The operation comes after ministers gave orders last week for security forces to move into the city, where at least 30 people were killed in two weeks of fighting in March.
The violence, between the neighbouring districts of Jabal Mohsen and Bab el-Tebbaneh stems from decades-old sectarian tensions that have been exacerbated by the three-year conflict in neighbouring Syria.
A security source said the deployment began at dawn, with troops entering Jabal Mohsen.
"Troops set up checkpoints and carried out searches for weapons," he said, adding that they were expected to deploy in Bab el-Tebanneh on Wednesday.
As the troops carried out searches, two army helicopters patrolled overhead, he added.
The source said the army had raided the home of Rifaat Eid, the political leader of the Alawite Arab Democratic Party.
Eid's father Ali is wanted for questioning in connection with a twin car bomb attack against two Sunni mosques in Tripoli that killed 45 people in August.
The source said neither Eid was at the house, but said the security forces raided other homes and detained wanted persons.
Tripoli has seen repeated rounds of fighting between Jabal Mohsen residents, who are Alawites, like Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and those of Bab el-Tebbaneh, who are Sunni, and largely back the Sunni-dominated uprising against Assad
Alawites make up 11 percent of the port city's population. Sunnis account for 80 percent.
Source: AFP