Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri voiced concern over the security situation in north Lebanon and played down reports of tension between his AMAL movement and Mustaqbal partisans in Beirut.

Berri, in an interview with the daily al-Akhbar, said: "I am not concerned by what has happened in Beirut because it is instantaneous … and can be contained easily. But what happens in the north if frightening."

"Real treatment for the situation in Tripoli and the north is through development (projects), the role of security forces comes after that," Berri added.

Berri said parliament would persist with its legislative sessions during the month of Ramadhan to adopt several laws, including the election law.