BEIRUT, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Heavy gunfire broke out in
the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on Friday as armed
supporters and opponents of President Bashar al-Assad took to
the streets after a demonstration against the Syrian leader,
residents said.
Two rocket propelled grenades were fired and at least one
person was wounded by stray gunfire, a security source said.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati told the head of the army to
"take necessary measures to halt these events" in the city.
The coastal city is dominated by Sunni Muslims who support
the 11-month uprising against Assad in neighbouring Syria, but
is also home to members of Assad's Alawite minority.
Residents said the rocket-propelled grenades were fired from
the Sunni Muslim district Bab al-Tabbaneh towards the Alawite
district of Jebel Mohsen, but caused no injuries.
The rival districts often clash, but tensions have
heightened sharply since the outbreak of unrest in Syria.
Friday's violence came after hundreds of people demonstrated in
Tripoli against Assad following weekly Muslim prayers.
Local security and medical sources said two soldiers and
four civilians were wounded, but their reports could not be
immediately verified.
(Reporting by Nazih Siddiq, Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing
by Angus MacSwan)
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