2 killed in clashes in northern Lebanon

Two Lebanese soldiers were killed and three others injured in Tripoli Monday as the army sought to implement a security plan to contain the clashes in the northern port city. The deaths bring the toll of the clashes to four as the fighting enters its second day, the other two being civilians. Local media said the army's efforts to quell the unrest met resistance in some areas, resulting in the casualties. The deaths prompted residents to block roads in protest against the gunmen's attacks on the army. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati held talks on Monday with Interior Minister Marwan Charbel and Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn to discuss the security measures taken to appease the unrest in Tripoli. He also called Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji to that end. The cautious calm that reigned in the city early Monday morning was shattered around noon by rocket attacks and sniper fire that wounded three people. On Sunday, the battles between rival neighborhoods -- Sunni Bab al-Tabbaneh and Alawite Jabal Mohsen, left two people dead and at least 26 injured, state-run National News Agency reported, adding a member of the Internal Security Forces were among the wounded. The Defense Ministry has frozen the issuing of gun licenses in Tripoli and the military police have been tasked to carry out a preliminary investigation into the fighting. Tripoli has seen repeated clashes between Sunnis and Alawites. In March, at least five people were killed and 26 others wounded, including soldiers, in fighting between two sectarian neighborhoods.