Higher Defense Council Rejects Declaring Sidon a Military Zone: All Necessary Measures will be Taken to Preserve Security

Lebanon's Higher Defense Council on Wednesday rejected a proposal by Interior Minister Marwan Charbel to turn Sidon into a military zone in the wake of the deadly clashes that killed three people and wounded several others in the southern city.

“The council discussed the security situation in the country in general and in Sidon in particular and the security and judiciary authorities have been tasked with taking all necessary measures to prevent any security violations and preserve civil peace,” said the council's secretary-general Maj. Gen. Adnan Merheb after a meeting at the Baabda palace.

Tensions surged in the southern city after a clash on Sunday between supporters of hardline Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir and Hizbullah left three people dead and several others wounded.

Asir's slain bodyguards Lobnan al-Ezz and Ali Samhoun were laid to rest on Monday amid a deployment of gunmen in the city.

“The army and the Internal Security Forces will coordinate their efforts according to the instructions given to them to preserve security,” said Merheb, reciting the statement issued by the HDC.

"The council gave the necessary instructions to the ministries concerned and security agencies," Merheb added.

The council kept its resolutions confidential in line with the applicable laws, Merheb noted.

LBCI television said the ministers of the National Struggle Front had voiced objections to declaring Sidon a military zone during a cabinet session held earlier on Wednesday "due to the city's security and political sensitivities."

NBN television said Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji was not “enthusiastic” over such a move.