BEIRUT, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Calm has prevailed in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli on Wednesday after severe clashes between the Lebanese army and protesters on Tuesday late night and Wednesday early morning, which resulted in eight injuries.
A security source told Xinhua that the clashes came as protesters were attempting to break into an office of the Free Patriotic Movement, which was founded by Lebanese President Michel Aoun, prompting the army to use tear gas to disperse protesters.
The source added that the clashes caused damage to two banks branches and shops in the city.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army announced in a statement on Tuesday night that it has arrested four people while they were trying to attack political parties' offices and a bank branch in the city.
It added that one of the protesters threw a hand grenade at a member of the Lebanese army but it did not explode while another Lebanese army member was injured when a protester threw stones at him.
Protesters continued their demonstrations on Wednesday in front of public departments in Tripoli while banks and schools shut down amid a heavy deployment of members from the Lebanese army and internal security forces.
On the other hand, a security source told Xinhua that clashes erupted in the southern suburbs of Beirut between young men from "Chiyah" (predominantly Shiite) and "Ain Remmaneh" (predominantly Christian), but the Lebanese army quickly intervened to restore calm.
Also, Mount Lebanon's Bikfaya witnessed violent encounters between a convoy for the supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement and supporters of the Kataeb Party, who blocked the road and prevented the passage of the convoy, prompting the army to re-open the road.
Lebanon has been witnessing over 40 days of nationwide protests against the current ruling political system which resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's cabinet.
The president has failed so far to conduct parliamentary consultations to name a prime minister to form the new government.
Protesters are calling for a neutral government capable of implementing necessary economic reforms while supporters of political parties, namely Hezbollah and Amal Movement, insist on a political government, which can also include technocrat figures.
