Assir’s supporters Ali Samhoun, and Lubnan al-Gharbi
who were killed in Ain al-Helweh clashes were buried in Dawar al-Karama in
Sidon following prayers held in Martyrs’ Mosque.
In a statement before the burial, Assir called on his
supporters to be wise and prudent, asking all those who are holding arms not to
fire any bullet.
Earlier in the day, an urgent meeting to discuss the burial procedures and security was held in Sidon. This as a cautious calm
prevails over the city where the LAF has now deployed thoroughly. This after
clashes erupted last night at the Ain
el-Helwe Palestinian refugee camp between supporters of the Sheikh of the Bilal
bin Rabbah Mosque, Ahmad Assir and Hezbollah partisans.
Three people fell dead as a result, two of which were
companions of al-Assir identified as Ali Samhoun, and Lubnan al-Gharbi. The
third victim was an Egyptian national passing by the scene. Seven others were
reported wounded including Hezbollah official Zeid Daher and his companion Ali
al-Dirani.
LBCI was able to obtain an exclusive video filmed on
location by one of Assir’s supporters depicting the incident.
To watch the video please click on the image
above.
According to reports, the arrest of Assir’s son [15 year old Omar Assir] preluded the
events, whereby he was stopped at one of the city’s seaside checkpoints on the
backdrop of driving without any legal documents or a driver’s license. Shortly
after four vehicles arrived to the scene, later identified as having been affiliated
with al-Assir, seizing the driver by force of arms, and taking him elsewhere.
Government Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr has now taken on
the case of the Assir’s son.
Positions:
Sheikh Al-Assir spoke to LBCI stating that “they
had been set up by Hezbollah,” adding that the group had planned to “kill them”.
On the other hand Hezbollah supporters said
that Assir had initiated a “hate campaign” against the group, adding that an
official from their side was wounded by bullets shot by Assir’s supporters.
Meanwhile, head of the Nasserite Popular
Organization Osama Saad denied having any link to the clashes that occurred.
This as MP Bahia Hariri conducted various calls with top Lebanese officials including
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and former Prime Ministers Saad Hariri and
Fouad Siniora to follow up on the situation.
For his
part Premiere Najib Mikati requested that the LAF and other security
apparatuses take precautionary procedures to contain the situation and arrest
all instigators.
Mikati
called for calm adding that all parties must cooperate to keep the situation
from escalating.
For his part Minister of Interior Marwan
Charbel and after chairing a security meeting in the South, stated that a
unilateral decision had been taken to uncover all those behind the initial
shooting, adding that a real “danger now surrounds the city similar to that of 1975.”
“Security in the
city will not be comprised, the LAF have been instructed to shoot at all arm
bearing men,” Charbel stressed.
The LAF command
said that it is conducting continuous raids to find and arrest all perpetrators
and assailants involved in the clashes. This as Monday had been declared a day
of mourning in the city with schools suspending classes for the “souls of those
who were lost in the clashes.”
To watch the video please click on the image above