Details of negotiations leading to the end of Assir’s sit-in

Sheikh Ahmad Assir felt that a siege is being set up against him after all political officials in Sidon agreed on holding a “counter sit-in”, and that this siege may exert pressure and lead security apparatuses to end his sit-in, then he decided to be the one who remove it.          

Sheikh Assir had met with Future Movement Secretary General Ahmad Hariri on Friday and gave him his demands, including setting up a meeting with President Michel Sleiman. Assir and Hariri held a second meeting on Saturday evening.            

Meanwhile, Palestinian Islamic forces from Ain al-Helweh camp participated in the plan to end the sit-in. A delegation met with Assir who stressed that he will end his sit-in once an official figure declares the seriousness of the dialogue and the determination in reaching a defense strategy. A Palestinian business man was appointed to be in charge of the mediation between Assir and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel.         

The negotiations kicked off on Monday, and the demands were referred to PM Najib Mikati. Assir called on Mikati to confirm that the dialogue will result in a defense strategy, as well as other demands related to Assir and his supporters.             

The mediation required holding meetings and phone calls between Minister Charbel and the Palestinian mediator. The first demand was approved, forcing Assir to end his sit-in, without receiving any answer regarding the other demands.