[An Nahar] The Mufti of Tripoli...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
and the North Sheikh Malek al-Shaar expressed fear on Friday over the ongoing situation in Tripoli a day after tension soared again in the northern city, jeopardizing a security plan that the army began implementing to end gunbattles between rival neighborhoods in the city.
"Thursday's festivities with the army is an attempt to topple the security plan in Tripoli or a conspiracy is being weaved," al-Shaar told al-Liwaa newspaper.
He slammed the officials inaction, noting that "they still don't realize how delicate is the situation in Tripoli."
Hundreds of coppers from different parts of Leb have been sent to Tripoli to help improve security, working under the army's command.
The army has been authorized to take charge of security in Tripoli for six months following the deadly sectarian festivities by rival sides stemming from the civil war in neighboring Syria.
Al-Shaar said that "if intruders are entering the northern city then we will have to face a greater disaster."
He revealed that he ordered the Imams of mosques in the northern city to welcome the role of the Lebanese army during Friday's sermon and to call for calm.
Al-Shaar reiterated that "those who are behind the twin bombings that targeted al-Salam and al-Taqwa mosques must be punished."