Turmoil has gripped Tripoli and the northern regions on the eve of Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani's visit to Lebanon and his tour in Tripoli scheduled for Thursday. This unrest follows the arrest of Saad Al-Masri last night.
A parliamentary source from Tripoli emphasized that the incident is part of the preparations underway to organize a grand reception for Al-Shibani. The source questioned, "Does the small state still have a role in the north?"
The source further speculated whether false information about Tripolitan figures is being fed to security apparatuses to create confusion in the Sunni streets.
Al-Masri's car was stopped and searched, and despite all his documents being legal, the head of the army patrol decided to detain him. Al-Masri protested, arguing there were no warrants against him. Nevertheless, he was arrested and taken to Koba Prison but released hours later due to public protests, political pressure, and confirmation of no grounds for his detention.
Simultaneously, several Tripoli residents blocked the international road in both directions at Minieh Municipality in protest of Al-Masri's arrest. The Lebanese army intervened and reopened the road amid a state of anger and tension in the area.
It is known that Al-Shibani will arrive in Beirut on Thursday to conduct a series of political meetings and visit Tripoli for a city tour and a broad meeting at the city's Dar Al-Fatwa.