Fresh clashes in Lebanon's Tripoli

Fresh clashes between pro and anti-Syrian regime gunmen broke out in Lebanon's second city of Tripoli on Tuesday.

Sniper shots were heard in the city's Bab al-Tabbaneh district, with shops in the area closed, the National News Agency said.

Two Inerga rocket-propelled grenades were also fired while an unidentified person tossed a bomb in the area, which has been the focus of weeks of skirmishes.

There were no reports of armed militias in the streets as had been seen in previous weeks, but the army was allegedly firing back at gunfire emanating from Bab al-Tabbaneh toward Jabal Mohsen.

Gunmen from the Sunni neighborhood of Bab al-Tabbaneh have fought on-off battles over the past few weeks with Jabal Mohsen residents, who mostly belong to the Alawi sect of Syrian President Assad.

At least 15 people died last weekend as armed groups fought running battles while snipers took positions across the city, shooting at civilians.

The Lebanese army entered the city to diffuse tension and were still in force on Tuesday.

(Al-Akhbar)