Asir Calls for Coexistence from Akkar: No 'Yellow Flag' will be Hoisted in Sidon
The imam of Sidon's Bilal bin Rabah Mosque, Islamist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir, on Sunday stressed that he does not have a problem with the Shiite sect but rather with Hizbullah, calling for coexistence with Christians in the northern region of Akkar.
“Accusations linking Akkar to terrorism are baseless and there is an attempt by some parties to distort the image of Sunni Muslims, especially in the North, because they are hosting the Syrian refugees,” Asir said during a rally organized by Akkar Youth in the area of al-Abdeh.
"We will struggle to restore balance in Lebanon and we will not back down from the revolution of dignity, and we tell anyone betting that things will stay the same that we will continue our path no matter what they say," Asir added.
The hardline cleric noted that he does not have "a problem with the Shiite sect, but rather with the bargainers calling themselves resistance.”
“What do Christians say about the Iranian expansion, as they have entered the cities and encroached upon the culture of Tyre and Beirut. They tried doing so in Sidon, but they will never succeed and no 'yellow flag' will be hoisted in Sidon,” Asir added, referring to Hizbullah's yellow flag.
The cleric also stressed “the importance of coexistence and extending hands to everyone.”
“We must extend our hand to anyone who does not show enmity towards us, especially Christians, as they are the closest to us and we have coexisted with them throughout 1,400 years. But as to those mocking us and looking at us with arrogance and contempt, we will 'puncture their eyes -- in a peaceful manner',” Asir added.
"Why don't they surrender their arms to the state? Till when will they use the weakness of the Lebanese army as an excuse? Is this all a trick aimed at keeping their weapons?" Asir went on to say.
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