Suleiman Orders Arrest of Suspects behind Sidon Armed Clashes

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.