Former Deputy Speaker Elie Ferzli hailed on Sunday the “great achievement made by the Lebanese General Security in arresting radical cleric Ahmad al-Assir."
Ferzli’s comments were made during an interview with Nharkom Said TV Show whereby he stressed that "Lebanese people of all sects do not support such extremist figures."
On another note, he noted that the unity of Christians does not rely on particular political leaders but on the content of the political speeches that are being delivered by them.
The Internal Security Forces’ General Directorate arrested on Saturday (August 15) fugitive hardline cleric Ahmad Assir, wanted for being involved in deadly clashes that resulted in the deaths of 19 army troops.
Security officials said that Assir was arrested at Beirut International Airport as he was attempting to flee the country in disguise, using a forged passport. The officials said that he appeared to have undergone several surgical operations to his face.
The General Security added that Assir attempted to flee towards Nigeria via Cairo.
Assir is a radical anti-Hezbollah preacher who led clashes against the Lebanese Army in June 2013 from the Bilal al-Rabbah mosque in the neighborhood of Abra, Sidon, south of Lebanon.
The clashes resulted in the deaths of 19 Army soldiers and at least 40 of combatants fighting for Assir.
Supporters of Assir have gone into hiding in the aftermath of the 2013 battles.
Security forces have beefed up efforts to track down the fugitives, especially after several Assir supporters were linked to a number of suicide bombings in Lebanon.