Peace Deal Signed In Northern Lebanon

Lebanese soldiers carry coffins of their colleagues who were killed by a bomb blast in the porte-city of Tripoli in north Lebanon August 14, 2008. (Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)

Deal Aims To End Violence In Northern Lebanon
-- Yahoo News/AP

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Rival groups signed an agreement Monday to end sectarian violence that has killed and wounded scores in the past three months in the northern city of Tripoli.

Tripoli, about 50 miles north of Beirut, has been the scene of clashes between Sunnis and Alawites — an offshoot Shiite sect.

"Tripoli should be a city without weapons because weapons in the hands of individuals do not protect anyone," said Prime Minister Fuad Saniora who went to Tripoli to witness the signing ceremony Monday night. "He who will undermine the city's security is an enemy to the city no matter to what group he belongs. No one will protect him."

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My Comment: What destroyed Lebanon as a prosperous state was its extremist religious sectarianism, what will prevent it from being a peaceful and successful country is its extremist religious sectarianism. As long as there is no change in the status quo .... there will be no change in Lebanon.