Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has called on the army to assume its responsibilities and safeguard the northern city of Tripoli, expressing fear that a "wicked" plot is targeting the city and its residents. In a press statement, Hariri said: "What is happening in Tripoli is unacceptable and cannot continue. The Lebanese army must assume its responsibilities in protecting the city. "The silence from authorities to the crime being committed against Tripoli is another crime, and we will not accept this after today. "Tripoli is the responsibility of the army and security forces," he said. Hariri said he had been in regular contact with President Michel Sleiman, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, former PM Najib Mikati, designate-PM Tammam Salam and Lebanese military officials about the situation in Tripoli. A new wave of Syria-linked clashes between Sunni and Alawite residents of Tripoli has killed six people in less than 24 hours. The latest confrontations come after a brief lull in the violence between the two sides, after a flare-up last month left 31 people dead and more than 200 wounded.