From kidnappings to sniper shootings, and rocket-propelled grenades, security violations continue in Lebanon's North and border towns, enabled by a weak and delayed response from government authorities. Many observers and politicians argue that recent clashes are due to Syrian meddling and a desire to destabilize Lebanon; many further argue that these clashes will not lead to war as it is not in the interest of Lebanon's biggest political groups. Meanwhile, the major brunt of the conflict falls on civilians, including farmers on the borders, Syrian refugees, and Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria. With the government national dialogue plans in tatters, Lebanese brace themselves for a period that may hold prolonged conflict.

Lebanon's second largest city, Tripoli, witnessed an alarming outbreak of violence earlier this week. Fighting started after demonstrations Friday night commemorating victims of Houla, an area near Homs, where 108 Syrians were murdered last month. The majority Sunni population tends to sympathize with the Syrian revolutionaries, while a minority Alawite community continues to stage pro-Assad rallies. Fueling this hostility is an age-old grievance by Tripoli residents that the city has been politically and economically marginalized.

While a few fighters were injured, this time innocent civilians were the targets of sniper fire and rocket propelled grenades. Two people died and 12 were injured before the army and Internal Security Forces managed to enter the Sunni-dominated area of Bab al-Tabbaneh and the pro-Assad Alawite Jbal Mohsen neighborhood.

As the Lebanese and the international community watch the events in Tripoli and await the release of 12 kidnapped Lebanese pilgrims in Syria, pressure is mounting on the March 8-led government to find a way to restore calm. With this goal in mind, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah gave a televised speech on Friday in which he recommended a national dialogue conference and an elected assembly tasked with addressing national problems and resolving differences between parties. While he sought to address the issue of sectarian tensions, Nasrallah missed one important detail: the parties calling for dialogue want the issue of Hezbollah's arms on the table. Hezbollah has made it clear, time and again, that it would "cut the hands" of those who try to strip it of its weapons. Needless to say, attempts for dialogue were stymied and have been suspended since.

The plans for a national dialogue among the various parties do not seem promising. The Lebanese Forces, led by Christian leader Samir Geagea, have already made clear that they would not participate, as it would not "yield any results."   Other March 14 leaders have yet to announce whether they will attend, but they expressed their skepticism. In order for the dialogue to truly be effective, the Future Movement has said that leaders must discuss the issue of Hezbollah's arms.

The issue of armed non-state actors is more pertinent today than ever, as more and more Lebanese groups pick up arms to take justice into their own hands. Previous demands to make Tripoli and Beirut more secure called on political parties to surrender their arms in at least these two cities to ensure the safety of citizens. The calls, although serious, were not addressed then, but renewed fighting gives those leaders another chance to relaunch this campaign.

Several countries have frequently expressed support for Lebanon's sovereignty - to which military power exclusively in the hands of the state is essential. But to be effective, international support must be matched with an unwavering Lebanese voice. Room for debate is more open now that various groups are preparing for the elections, but unfortunately, as politicians debate the utility of dialogue, civilians continue to pay the price for instability, a worsening economic situation, and concerns of a stunted tourism season upon which many Lebanese industries rely.