Al-Asir Lashes out at Hizbullah over 'Hegemony' of Arms
Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir slammed on Sunday what he called Hizbullah's “hegemony” in Lebanon through the force of weapons.
“Some people are intentionally trying to create hegemony in Lebanon through their arms,” al-Asir told his supporters during a rally held in the southern city of Sidon.
“No matter how hard Nasrallah's party tries, we will not change our convictions,” said the cleric whose supporters clashed with Hizbullah gunmen last month, leaving three people dead.
The gunfight erupted following a dispute on Hizbullah posters in the city.
Al-Asir accused Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah of killing ex-Premier Rafik Hariri.
He also said the Army Intelligence was carrying out sectarian investigations.
“We want to live in peace- Sunnis and Shiites, Muslims and Christians,” al-Asir said.
The cleric made his speech after his supporters marched in Sidon's streets, raising black flags and chanting anti-Nasrallah slogans.
The protesters vowed to avenge the death of the three people, including two of Asir’s bodyguards.
The march took place amid heavy security measures taken by the Army and security forces.
It came after several meetings that Interior Minister Marwan Charbel held with top security officials in the city to prevent any unrest.
Charbel earlier told Voice of Lebanon radio (93,3) that the security forces will do their best to preserve security in Sidon and keep things under control.
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