Asir Bodyguard Testifies over Abra Clashes, Exposes Accomplices

The bodyguard of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir, who was detained two-days ago while trying to flee via Beirut Airport, has presented valuable confessions over the last month's clashes in the town of Abra.

According to As Safir newspaper published on Saturday, 30-year-old Palestinian Ali Abdul Wahad informed the Lebanese Army intelligence on his personal role in the battles in Abra near the southern city of Sidon.

He also revealed information on several people wanted by the Army, including Asir and singer turned Salafist Fadel Shaker.

Abdul Wahad had exposed in his confessions the side that provided him with the necessary money and helped him to flee outside Lebanon through Bairut's Rafik Hariri International airport.

A security source told As Safir that the arrest of Abdul Wahad is an important accomplishment regarding his relation with Asir and his wide knowledge about the cleric's financial and security status.

The source pointed out that the interrogations with Abdul Wahad focus on the goal behind his attempt to travel to Nigeria.

Asir's supporters opened fire on an army checkpoint, late last month, leaving around 18 soldiers and more than 20 gunmen dead.

The gunbattles concentrated in the area of Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque and nearby buildings in Abra.

Asir, a 45-year-old cleric who supports the overwhelmingly Sunni rebels fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad, is no where to be found along with Shaker.

Asir teamed up with Shaker, a onetime prominent singer, when around two years ago he began agitating for Hizbullah to disarm.