At least 60 detained in Sidon incident, LAF continue detonating explosives

The Lebanese Armed Forces continued on Wednesday their inspection of the region surrounding the Bilal Bin Rabah mosque in the southern city of Sidon while pursuing the detonation of explosives.   

The army has also evacuated citizens residing around the complex so as to detonate bombs planted in the region by Salafist Assir’s supporters.                   

This as sources reported that 60 of Sheikh Ahmad Assir’s supporters have been arrested so far following Sidon’s incidents.                                 

The state run National News Agency (NNA) said the army is still carrying out patrols across the southern coastal city.         

South Lebanon’s Governor:                           

On another note, the Governor of South Lebanon Nicolas Bou Daher chaired a meeting at his office in Sidon’s Serail.                        

The meeting was attended by the leaders of concerned authorities to discuss the steps that should be undertaken following the incidents that took place in Abra.        

Muslim scholars:

Sidon's Mufti Salim Sousan denounced the attack against Lebanese Armed Forces, pointing out that such violations lead to internal strife.                       

Following a meeting for the Muslim Scholars held in Sidon, Mufti Sousan expressed the Scholars’ support to the Lebanese state and called for imposing laws on all Lebanese citizens.                                          

The Muslim Scholars added that all kinds of weapons were used in Sidon clashes, and mentioned that “the seizure of the city by members from Hezbollah and letting them provoke the privacy of citizens is a blow to the prestige of the state”.        

Army Command:      

The Army Command - Guidance Directorate mourned the soldier Ibrahim Khoder Dib who died today (Wednesday) of wounds sustained during the military operation carried out in Sidon.                      

Martyr Dib was born on the 1st of April 1991 in Safrin, the Miniyeh-Danniyeh District.         

He volunteered in the military institution on the 9th of November 2011 and was promoted to a higher rank after his martyrdom.         

The martyr holds various medals, and awards presented by the Army Commander General Jean Kahwagi.    

President Sleiman:                          

On another note, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman followed up on the situation in Sidon’s Abra region and on the implemented measures by LAF soldiers to inspect the area and survey the damages. Positions:                         

In turn, MP Mohammad Kabbara called for the formation of a judicial investigation committee to examine the incidents that erupted in Abra and maintain the 'victory' achieved by LAF soldiers.                     

This as the Beirut Bar Association stood in solidarity with the military institution and called for carrying out other movements "since the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon are at risk."                

Fighting in Sidon city began Sunday after troops arrested an al-Assir follower. The army says the cleric's supporters opened fire without provocation on an army checkpoint.                                        

Official reports said at least 17 soldiers were killed and 50 were wounded in the fighting while more than 20 of al-Assir's supporters died in the battle, according to a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to talk to reporters.                                

Al-Assir is a virulent critic of the powerful Shiite group Hezbollah group, which along with its allies dominates Lebanon's government.          

He supports rebels fighting to oust Syria's President Bashar Assad.            

The fighting between troops and armed supporters of al-Assir have transformed the city, which had been largely spared the violence plaguing border areas near Syria, into a combat zone.