Phalange MP Nadim Gemayel's convoy was attacked with sticks, stones and tomatoes on Friday by angry protesters opposed to the extension of the parliament's term, the MP told Future television in a telephone call.

“While passing through the neighborhood of Ashrafiyeh, a crowd of angry people groundlessly attacked my convoy with sticks, stones and tomatoes,” he said, estimating the crowd to be civil society activists returning from the sit-in staged in Downtown Beirut protesting the extension of the parliament's term and demanding elections to be held.

Sidon's MPs Fouad Saniora and Bahia Hariri on Friday handed President Michel Suleiman a memo demanding the referral of the case of the Sidon clashes to the Judicial Council and the prevention of all armed activities in the city.

The memo also urged the removal of all political flags from the city and the closure of all offices belonging to “armed groups.”

The Gulf Cooperation Council will hold a meeting in Riyadh next week to agree the mechanisms for imposing sanctions on members of Hizbullah, its head Abdul Latif al-Zayani said.

The monarchies of the GCC decided on June 10 to impose sanctions on alleged members of Hizbullah targeting their residency permits and their financial and business activities in reprisal for the group's armed intervention in Syria.

Head of al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Fouad Saniora on Friday said Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji promised to probe “abuses” against some civilians in Sidon, stressing that the southern city will not be a “scene for violations.”

Saniora voiced his remarks during a meeting at the Grand Serail that was attended by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Sidon MP Bahia Hariri, cabinet secretary-general Suheil Bouji, Army chief Qahwaji, Sidon's mufti Sheikh Salim Sousan, acting prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud, army intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Edmond Fadel, Higher Defense Council chief Maj. Gen. Mohammed Kheir, Sidon Municipality chief Mohammed al-Saudi and Abra Municipality chief Walid Mshantaf.

A rights watchdog on Friday demanded a probe into alleged abuse of detainees after the deadly battle in the Sidon suburb of Abra between the army and supporters of Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir.

Human Rights Watch said there must be an independent investigation into claims the army is committing abuses against people suspected of links to the weekend clashes in which 18 soldiers died.

The Jamaa Islamiya on Friday called for an end to “arbitrary arrests” in the southern city of Sidon and its suburbs, in the wake of the deadly battle that ended after the army stormed Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir's headquarters in Abra.

“Sidon was violated ... but we know that you have never been outlaws,” Jamaa Islamiya official Bassam Hammoud said at a press conference, addressing Sidon's residents.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun on Friday rejected what he called “selectivity” in putting draft laws on parliament's agenda, stressing that extending the term of Army chief General Jean Qahwaji would be illegal and not an appropriate way to “reward” the army after the Abra battle.

“Urgent draft laws were disregarded and not put on the agenda of parliament's session, although they have the priority,” Aoun said after an extraordinary meeting for the Change and Reform bloc.

Gunmen took to the streets in Tripoli and blocked roads as demos were held in Beirut's Tariq al-Jedideh in support of fugitive cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir, in what protesters dubbed the Sunni sect's “day of rage.”

State-run National News Agency said armed men blocked the old seaside road that links Tripoli to Beirut at the al-Behsas area and “forced shops to close.”

Sidon Mufti Sheikh Salim Sousan condemned on Friday the recent clashes in the southern city, demanding that the state assume its responsibilities in following through with the investigation in the unrest.

He said: “We reject the use of arms on the internal scene in Lebanon regardless of which side they belong to.”

Acting General Prosecutor Judge Hammoud referred on Friday to the caretaker Justice Minister, Shakib Qortbawi, a request demanding lifting immunity off MP Ali Qanso.

Qanso had accused President Michel Suleiman of high treason in light of the latter's filing of memorandums to the Arab League and United Nations on Syria's violations of Lebanese territory.