Lebanese PM vows to end violence

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati assured Saturday that the security forces are planning to take all necessary measures to restore stability and peace to the volatile northern city of Tripoli. According to the National News Agency (NNA), Mikati said "full political cover to ... restore calm to the city is available, so is the work of judicial authorities to bring perpetrators to justice." Voices rose among certain political factions to demand Mikati resign following a series of violent clashes in Tripoli. But the prime minister downplayed the call, saying resignation would be a failure to fulfill his national responsibilities. Earlier Saturday, Mikati held in Tripoli a series of security meetings. Violence broke out in the port city Monday following the appearance of Syrian President Bashar Assad in an interview with the local Al mayadeen TV, killing eight people and injuring more than 57 others. Tripoli's Bab Al Tebbaneh Sunni neighborhood backs the rebellion against Assad while its Alawite Jabal Mohsen neighborhood stands with the Syrian leader, who is also a member of the Alawite minority. Source: XINHUA