Sectarian clashes start up again in Tripoli

Renewed sectarian clashes occurred during the evening hours of 8 July 2008 in the northern port city of Tripoli after several hand grenades exploded on a street that separates the city's Bab Tibbaneh and Jabal Mohsen districts. The districts are divided along sectarian lines, with Sunnis (who support the ruling government coalition) predominantly residing in Bab Tibbaneh and Alawites (who are pro-Syrian and support the opposition) residing in Jabal Mohsen. The grenade explosions prompted rival gunmen to take to the streets while snipers took up positions along a main road. At least two people were killed in the violence that followed, and more than 40 others were injured. Authorities were deployed to the area to quell the latest outbreak of violence between residents of the two districts. The main highway between the Badawi Palestinian refugee camp and Tripoli (which is located approximately 50 mi/80 km north of Beirut) was temporarily closed due to reports that snipers were shooting at passing vehicles. Tripoli, specifically the Bab Tibbaneh and Jabal Mohsen districts, has experienced sectarian unrest on several occasions during the past month. The army continues to maintain a noticeable presence in an effort to prevent violence, but sporadic clashes between rival political supporters continue to occur. Further outbreaks of violence are possible in the area.