Summary As Lebanon delays its presidential vote for the ninth time Dec. 17, militant activity in Tripoli — the country's second-largest city — has begun picking up steam. With several groups building militias, Tripoli likely will be at the forefront of factional fighting in Lebanon. Analysis Lebanon remains in political paralysis as the presidential vote was delayed for the ninth time Dec. 17 over continuing differences between the Syrian-backed Hezbollah-led opposition and the Western-backed March 14 coalition led by Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. As the political tussle in Beirut continues, militant activity in Lebanon's second-largest city and second-largest port — Tripoli — is gaining steam. A financial center located in northeastern Lebanon along the Mediterranean, Tripoli has a population of around 500,000, made up mostly of Sunnis and small pockets of Maronite Christians and Alawites (an offshoot of Shiite Islam).