Riyadh Voices Concern over Sidon Clashes, Urges End to Fighting for Stability's Sake

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.”

It also urged all parties to “halt the fighting and not to escalate the situation in order to preserve the security and stability of brotherly Lebanon.”

Sixteen troops have been killed and more than 50 wounded in the clashes, the army said in a statement.

A source close to Asir said at least five of his supporters had also been killed.