Lebanese Higher Defense Council convened on Sunday at the Baabda Presidential Palace to address latest developments in the northern city of Tripoli, stressing the importance of protecting civil peace, National News Agency reported.

"The council discussed the security situation in Tripoli," the report said, adding that President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati had discussed latest developments before the council convened.

The NNA added that Minister of Foreign Affairs Adnan Mansour, Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi, Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi and Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas attended the council's meeting.

Security and intelligence officials also attended the meeting, including army commander, internal security forces, general security and state security directors general. The Council also stressed the importance of providing army and security forces with all necessary tools to help them achieve their mission.

A bloody clash erupted on Sunday morning between the Bab al- Tabbanehand Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods in Tripoli, leaving three people dead, including an army soldier.

Demonstrations in the northern city erupted on Saturday, following the arrest of Lebanese citizen Shadi al-Mawlawi who was allegedly detained as part of an "investigation into his ties to a terrorist organization."