The Lebanese government has put its army in control of Tripoli for the next six months, the Associated Press reported on 3 December. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati made the announcement after a security meeting at the presidential palace.

The decision was made after sectarian clashes killed at least 12 and injured more than 100 people between 1 and 3 December.

Spillover of the Syrian conflict is increasingly leading to violent incidents in Lebanon. Over the past two years there have been sporadic gun battles in Tripoli and attacks on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut.

Tripoli, located in the north of Lebanon near the Syrian border, is the country’s second-largest city.