Suleiman Orders Arrest of Suspects behind Sidon Armed Clashes

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
  • W460
  • W460

President Michel Suleiman demanded on Monday security and judiciary officials to detain the suspects who were responsible for the clashes that erupted the day before at the southern port city of Sidon and to take the necessary measures to control the situation in the area.

“We must be aware not to slip over into sedition,” Suleiman said.

He warned of the negative repercussions of sedition on stability and civil peace “at a time that Lebanese foes agreed to abide by the Baabda Declaration.”

The Baabda Declaration was reached during the first national dialogue session that was held in June after a 19-month absence.

The Declaration, issued on June 11, calls for political and media calm in Lebanon, supporting the army, and keeping Lebanon away from regional and international disputes.

Suleiman held talks with Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, who briefed him on the measures taken by the Internal Security Forces in Sidon to control the situation in the city.

He also met with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, who stressed that the army has taken all the necessary steps to maintain stability in the area.

A gunbattle erupted between Hizbullah supporters and Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir in the Taamir Ain al-Hilweh neighborhood over posters promoting the party, killing three people and injuring seven others.

On Friday, Asir gave an ultimatum to Hizbullah supporters in the city to take down all posters promoting the party. But they “rejected” prompting the Salafist cleric and his supporters to head to the Taamir neighborhood and rip down a poster of Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Comments 8
Thumb Elemental 12 November 2012, 15:23

Idiots with guns are idiots with guns, whatever side arrest them and let Lebanese justice prevail.

Thumb Elemental 12 November 2012, 15:30

Agreed 100%

Thumb geha 12 November 2012, 15:49

only one flag on the Lebanese soil.
we are Lebanese, and other flags just irritate the other camp, so why raise these flags and picture unless you want to create sectarian strife?

Default-user-icon notion (Guest) 12 November 2012, 16:27

Fully agree. Lebanon should long ago have banned political flags and posters. Why not make a movement? One country one flag! Hope someone will get a Facebook, Twitter etc. page going and build a mass behind it.
Expect people from all sects will be happy to join such a statement as it's in the best interest of everyone.
I'm Norwegian so it's not for me to start.

Thumb andre.jabbour 12 November 2012, 23:19

MR president Suleiman. Those involved in yesterday's firefight were also involved in Hariri, Gemayel jr and other MP and civilian's killings. Can you have them arrested too? What about those who provoked an Israeli invasion in 2006 and had 2000 Lebanese civilians killed?

Missing greatpierro 12 November 2012, 23:24

It ight be difficult to arrest khizbullah members due to the their status. However it should not be an excuse not to arrest any other person holding weapons.

Thumb andre.jabbour 13 November 2012, 00:30

Aren't we all equals? A self proclaimed status means nothing.

Default-user-icon MUSTAPHA O. GHALAYINI (Guest) 13 November 2012, 00:30

who is really in charge