BEIRUT, June 28 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and scores were wounded in a bomb blast that rocked an apartment building in Lebanese northern city of Tripoli early on Saturday, local Naharnet news website reported.

    Police was quoted as saying that the blast, reported at 5:30 a.m. (0230 GMT), struck the entrance to a building in Syria Street of Tabbaneh district.

    Medical sources said that most of the casualties are children, women and elderly people.

    The blasted building is located in Tabbaneh area which is mostly inhabited by pro-government Sunni supporters.

    The report said that snipers in the neighboring, pro-opposition area of Baal Mohsen, opened fire at gunmen in Tabbaneh streets, adding that rescuers were facing difficulties in their jobs due to sniper fire targeting the streets.

    Last week, Tripoli was the scene of bloody clashes between majority and opposition supporters, leaving 10 people killed and 55 others wounded.

    The Lebanese army was ordered to deploy in the area and separate fighters after the Sunni mufti of Tripoli asked local leaders, and the Lebanese army to work for stopping violence in the city.