Miqati Hosts Former Premiers to Follow up on Sidon Clashes

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati hosted on Thursday former premiers to follow up on their last meeting that addressed the situation in the southern city of Sidon, reported al-Jounhouria newspaper Friday.

It said that Thursday's meeting was held away from the media spotlight and was aimed at tackling the security in Sidon and Lebanon as a whole.

Miqati, Premier-designate Tammam Salam and the former premiers had met on Monday to condemn "any attack on the army, whichever side it may come from," while demanding the closure of "all security zones."

They stressed the importance of “arresting those who attacked the army and holding them accountable” after conducting an “instant probe.”

They also warned against being dragged into “the trap of sedition and divisions,” underlining the importance of “committing to coexistence and preserving civil peace.”

Al-Joumhouria also reported that the Muslim Ulemas of Sidon had agreed to hold Friday prayers exclusively at the Zaatari mosque in the city as a sign of unity among the residents.

All other mosques will be shut down during the time of the prayer and the sermon will be performed by Mufti Sheikh Salim Sousan,

Eighteen soldiers were killed and 50 were wounded in clashes between the army and armed supporters of the Imam of the Bilal bin Rabah mosque Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir on Sunday and Monday.

More than 20 of al-Asir's supporters were killed, according to a security official.

Dozens of them were also arrested, but there was no sign of the cleric.

The Ulemas accused on Wednesday Hizbullah fighters of taking part in the battles alongside the army, despite assertions by various officials that the army acted alone in combating the gunmen.