BEIRUT: Three people, including two Lebanese Army soldiers, were wounded Saturday in renewed clashes in the northern coastal city of Tripoli, a day after gun battles between the predominantly Alawite neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen and the mainly Sunni district of Bab al-Tabbaneh, as the military vowed to continue its crackdown on individuals tampering with the country’s security.

“The leadership of the army reaffirms that it has taken a decisive decision to confront those tampering with the country’s security, regardless of the party they belong to,” the army said in a statement.

“[The army] holds those who support these armed individuals responsible for any human or material loss in the military ranks,” the statement added.

Clashes erupted Friday afternoon between the pre-dominantly Alawite Tripoli neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen and mainly Sunni district of Bab al-Tabbaneh.

The Lebanese Army said two of its members were wounded Saturday.

Security sources said that one civilian was also wounded, which brings the total number of wounded since Friday to 12 – six soldiers and six civilians.

In the statement released Saturday, the army said one soldier was in critical condition.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he had confidence that the army would resolve the matter, adding that he was in contact with army officials.

“The Lebanese Army, its abilities and leadership we have faith in, is fulfilling its role ... I am certain that the situation will be under control and the army will restore order,” Mikati, who is ending his official trip to France, told journalists in Paris.

Security sources told The Daily Star Saturday that the Lebanese Army has been ordered to arrest on sight anyone carrying weapons and patrols, both on foot and in military vehicles, are ongoing in the Bab Al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen areas.

The Lebanese Army has deployed eight Armored Personal Carriers to the area, where short bursts of fire can still be heard.

"The army continues to strengthen security measures in the Bab Al-Tabbaneh-Jabal Mohsen areas and has conducted searches in places where clashes erupted and has arrested a number of armed men and confiscated large quantities of arms and ammunition,” the army said in its statement.

Friday’s clashes, which included the use of rocket-propelled grenades, came after midday prayers when 700 people marched from a mosque in Tripoli and demonstrated in the city center against the Syrian government.

The clashes raise fresh concerns about unrest spilling over into Lebanon as violence and turmoil continue to destabilize Syria.

In a separate incident Saturday morning, one person was killed after an arms depot exploded near the area of Qibbeh. Two other people were injured. The depot is at a privately-owned farm.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani described the ongoing clashes in Tripoli as worrisome and as an attempt to incite strife.

"He urged the Lebanese Army to swiftly place the area under its control and put an end to the violence in a bid to strengthen civil peace and national unity," Qabbani’s press office quoted him as saying Saturday.

He also warned against similar security breaches, which he said could impact negatively on the situation in the country.