The Arab League condemned on Monday the attack against the Lebanese army by supporters of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir in the southern city of Sidon on Sunday, calling on all Lebanese powers to exert efforts to avert strife.

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi warned of the “dangerousness of targeting the army,” demanding that the assailants be arrested and brought to justice.

Hizbullah slammed on Monday the attack against the army by supporters of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir in the southern city of Sidon on Sunday.

Its said in a statement: “The army is the guarantor of civil peace in Lebanon and any attack against it is tantamount to an attack against the entire nation.”

Phalange Party MP Sami Gemayel condemned on Monday the clashes in the southern city of Sidon, voicing the party's support for the army's efforts to crackdown on the gunmen.

He said after the party's weekly politburo meeting: “A curfew should be imposed in all the regions that are witnessing tensions.”

The brother of former singer Fadel Shaker was killed on Monday during the clashes between the army and the gunmen of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir in Abra neighborhood of the southern city of Sidon.

“Abu Abed Shmandour was killed in Monday’s clashes with the army in Abra,” the state-run National News Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia on Monday voiced “extreme concern” over the deadly clashes in the southern port city of Sidon between the Lebanese army and gunmen loyal to Islamist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir.

In a statement recited by Saudi Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja – the former ambassador to Lebanon – after cabinet's weekly meeting under the chairmanship of King Abdullah, Riyadh “expressed extreme concern over the development of the situations in southern Lebanon and the clashes in the city of Sidon.”

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly condemned on Monday the clashes in the southern city of Sidon, extending his sympathy to Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji and to the families of those who have been killed in the fighting.

He said: “We are at one in our support for President Michel Suleiman, for the institutions of the state and for the security forces, and in particular the army, at this difficult juncture.”

Independence Movement leader Michel Mouawad condemned on Monday the clashes in the southern city of Sidon and the attack against the army, stressing his support for the state.

He said: “The developments in Sidon demonstrate that ignoring the spread of illegitimate arms, regardless of the identity of their sectarian owners, poses a danger to the army, state, stability, and entire Lebanese entity.”

The Army Command on Monday stressed its "keenness on places of worship" after its troops closed in on Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir's gunmen who entrenched themselves in the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in Abra.

"Army units continue their military operations in the city of Sidon and the area of Abra to stamp down armed activities, arrest those who attacked army positions and restore security and stability,” the Command said in a statement.

France on Monday expressed “great concern” over the violence in the southern city of Sidon, condemning attacks against the military institution.

“France strongly condemns the attacks targeting the army that have resulted in the death or injury of several troops,” foreign ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot said.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea noted on Monday that the “phenomenon” of Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir is a product of local conditions in Lebanon, calling on all Lebanese to support the army and state given the clashes in the southern city of Sidon.

He told Free Lebanon radio: “The phenomenon of Hizbullah produced several other phenomenons, including that of al-Asir.”