LAF soldiers arrested after attacking detainee

      
The Army Command- Orientation Directorate issued a statement on Saturday whereby it commented on photos showing one of the detainees in the Abra clashes being attacked by a number of soldiers.           

In this context, the Army Command pointed out that an investigation was launched, adding that the aforementioned soldiers were arrested.            

The Army Command also announced that the persons  involved in the said incident will be punished, stressing that "it will not turn a blind eye to any kind of violations". 
        
Fighting in Sidon city began Sunday (23 June) after troops arrested a follower of hardline Sunni cleric Sheikh Ahmad 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.