Jumblatt rejects attempts to tarnish image of LAF

The head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt said on Saturday that, following the latest incidents which took place in Sidon, every party should prevent itself from being dragged into the traps of sectarian extremism, expressing his regret toward the failure of the principle of moderation backed by slain PM Rafik Hariri as a result of ongoing policy of incitement and the confusion within one political camp [in reference to the Future Movement].                

In this context, MP Jumblatt rejected the attempts carried out in order to tarnish the image of the Lebanese Armed Forces, stressing the need to launch an internal investigation within the military institution, after citizen “Nader al-Baymouni” was killed under torture.

Fighting in Sidon city began Sunday 23rd of June 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.