Following are summaries of some of the main stories in a selection of Lebanese and pan-Arab newspapers Sunday. The Daily Star cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports.

An-Nahar

A bloody day in Tripoli leaves three dead, 23 wounded

What happened in Tripoli in terms of the killing of three people and wounding of 23 others will not pass unnoticed, according to high-ranking security sources.

The army stressed it has taken a decisive decision to confront those who have tampered with security, regardless of the party they belong to. The military also said it would continue to search for those involved in the events until they are arrested and handed over to the concerned judicial authorities.

Security sources said that a decision had been taken from across the border to continue the suffering in the north Lebanon city. They added that part of the message was for Prime Minister Najib Mikati, while the other was for Tripoli that it would never enjoy peace.

This is the beginning of the spillover effect from Syria.

Uncertain calm spread in the areas of Bab Al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen following the clashes that erupted Friday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, there was a heavy army deployment and search operations in the area.

The army said it arrested a number of armed individuals and confiscated weapons and ammunition.

On the political scene, President Michel Sleiman's position regarding Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas' refusal to sign the Cabinet decree concerning the transportation allowance has stirred reactions.

Sources close to Sleiman said the president was waiting for the return of Prime Minister Najib Mikati from Paris for consultations.

Al-Hayat

France asks Mikati not to oppose "Friends of Syria"

The consequences of the Syrian crisis have manifested themselves in Lebanon after clashes erupted between the pro-Syrian regime neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen and the neighborhood of Ban Al-Tabbaneh, where many sympathize with the Syrian revolution. Clashes resulted in the death of three people, while 23 others were wounded.

Tripoli witnessed two days of horror due to renewed clashes between the Alawite and Sunni neighborhoods that prompted tens of families to flee as the Lebanese Army deployed on Syria Street, which separates the two neighborhoods.

In protest of the deteriorating security situation in the city, several young men gathered in front of the Tripoli Serail and asked for an arms-free Tripoli.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in Paris, reaffirmed that France understands Lebanon's policy of disassociation regarding developments in Syria.

Mikati's activities in France included a visit to former Prime Minister Saad Hariri to check on his health.

French diplomatic sources told Al-Hayat that Foreign Affairs Minister Alain Juppe asked Lebanon not to oppose the upcoming Arab League meeting on the issue of establishing a "Friends for Syria" group.

Sources also said that French President Nicholas Sarkozy expressed understanding of Mikati's position but informed the prime minister that Assad could no longer remain in power.

Al-Mustaqbal

Prime Minister reveals Paris to downsize UNIFIL troops

The tense security situation, which was engineered by followers of the Syrian regime, was coupled with attempts by Assad's forces to suffocate the Syrian revolution using military means.

President Michel Sleiman followed up on the situation in Tripoli Saturday, stressing on the need to deal with those tampering with security and warned that the tense political rhetoric and acting irresponsibly and against the spirit of the Taif Accord harmed political and economic stability.

The Lebanese Army has intensified its presence in the areas of Bab Al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen. It has carried out search operations and has been able to arrest several armed individuals as well as well as confiscate ammunition.

It also announced that it has taken a decisive decision to confront those tampering with security.

The two neighborhoods witnessed uncertain calm along the street separating the rival area as the death toll rose to three while some 20 people were reported to have been wounded, including seven soldiers.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who spoke from Paris, said that the army would restore order.

He said there was a decision by France to reduce the number of its troops working in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and that such a decision was not a political one but a cost-cutting measure.