A week of bloodshed in Tripoli has killed at least which 14 people and wounded more than 80 others.

The fighting, between the rival groups has been concentrated in the Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen districts of Tripoli, Lebanon's second city.

According to reports, tanks and jeeps entered the northern sector of Bab al-Tebbaneh but their progress was slowed by sniper fire, to which the troops responded. One soldier was wounded in the firing.

A security official said the army had also deployed in Jabal Mohsen, which adjoins Bab al-Tebbaneh.

Residents of Bab al-Tebbaneh support the revolt against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while those in Jabal Mohsen back Assad. They have fought frequently since the Syrian conflict erupted in March 2011.

Acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Saturday that "security forces will take every step to put an end to the violence and chaos" in the city. "They will be strict and impartial."

But residents of Syria Street, which separates the two rival neighborhoods, were skeptical.

Since the start of the latest violence, six residents of Jabal Mohsen as well as eight residents of Bab el-Tebbaneh suburb have been died.

The fighting broke out on October 21 as a Lebanese private television aired an interview with Assad, in which he said the time is not ripe for a peace conference to resolve the 31-month conflict and said he was ready to run for re-election in 2014.

NJF/NJF