33 Arrested in Tripoli as Troops Continue Implementing Security Plan

The military institution announced on Wednesday arresting 33 people in the northern city of Tripoli, as troops continued to implement the security plan in the North.

"The army has arrested 33 people, including 14 Syrians,” the military institution said in an evening communique.

The statement added: “15 motorbikes and 10 unlawful cars were also seized, in addition to weapons and ammunition.”

The arrested men as well as the seized vehicles and weapons were handed over to the competent authority, the army added.

Earlier in the day, troops entered the neighborhood of Bab al-Tabbaneh at dawn, as part of the security plan.

The army deployed in the various alleyways of the neighborhood, such as Starco, al-Hamawi, and the grocery market and Syria Street.

It carried out raids and removed various barriers as army helicopters overflew the area, the military said in a communique.

A high-ranking military source told MTV that none of the prominent leaders from the neighborhood will be arrested, but it did expect several suspects to be detained.

The military also set up checkpoints in the northern district of Akkar as part of the security plan, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi told al-Liwaa daily Wednesday that he is in contact with council of Muslim scholars in Tripoli in order to ensure the success of the security plan that kicked off on Tuesday with the army entering the Jabal Mohsen neighborhood.

“We are working for the sake of the city and we will not sacrifice it for various individuals,” he added.

“We must have the courage to describe ourselves as failures should we fail in ensuring the security of Tripoli,” he continued.

“Our residents and children have the right to live in peace and security,” Rifi stressed.

The Army succeeded in arresting 75 suspects on the first day of the security plan, it said in a communique on Tuesday.

They included 27 Syrians and Palestinians.

It also impounded 91 motorcycles and six vehicles, as well as a number of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment.

It raided on Tuesday in the areas of the Hariri project, al-Baqqar, al-Naamani, Hayy al-Tanak, al-Amercan, Bab al-Hadid, internal markets, al-Qobbeh, and Bab al-Ramel.

Last week, the cabinet tasked the army and security forces with seizing stockpiled arms and controlling the security situation in Tripoli and the eastern Bekaa Valley in areas bordering Syria.

The plan took into consideration the recommendations of the Higher Defense Council.

Tripoli witnesses frequent gunbattles between two of the impoverished neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh, which is dominated by Sunnis who support Syrian rebels, and Jabal Mohsen, which is dominated by Alawites, who share the same sect as Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Clashes in Tripoli have left scores of casualties during the last round.

More than 1,400 Internal Security Forces members are cooperating with the army to implement the security plan to restore calm in Tripoli.

The army also raided and searched the house of Arab Democratic Party politburo chief Rifaat Eid in Jabal Mohsen amid reports that he had fled to Syria.

M.T./ S.D.B.

H.K.