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Fadel Shaker’s Brother Killed in Abra Clashes

The brother of former singer Fadel Shaker was killed on Monday during the clashes between the army and the gunmen of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir in Abra neighborhood of the southern city of Sidon.

“Abu Abed Shmandour was killed in Monday’s clashes with the army in Abra,” the state-run National News Agency reported.

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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.”

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Plumbly Stresses Need to Cooperate with Suleiman, State Institutions to Ensure Stability in Lebanon

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly condemned on Monday the clashes in the southern city of Sidon, extending his sympathy to Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji and to the families of those who have been killed in the fighting.

He said: “We are at one in our support for President Michel Suleiman, for the institutions of the state and for the security forces, and in particular the army, at this difficult juncture.”

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Mouawad Contacts Qahwaji: Persistence of Illegitimate Arms Paves Way for Strife

Independence Movement leader Michel Mouawad condemned on Monday the clashes in the southern city of Sidon and the attack against the army, stressing his support for the state.

He said: “The developments in Sidon demonstrate that ignoring the spread of illegitimate arms, regardless of the identity of their sectarian owners, poses a danger to the army, state, stability, and entire Lebanese entity.”

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Army Command Stresses Keenness on Places of Worship, Vows to 'Suppress Sedition'

The Army Command on Monday stressed its "keenness on places of worship" after its troops closed in on Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir's gunmen who entrenched themselves in the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in Abra.

"Army units continue their military operations in the city of Sidon and the area of Abra to stamp down armed activities, arrest those who attacked army positions and restore security and stability,” the Command said in a statement.

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France Expresses ‘Great Concern’ over Sidon Clashes

France on Monday expressed “great concern” over the violence in the southern city of Sidon, condemning attacks against the military institution.

“France strongly condemns the attacks targeting the army that have resulted in the death or injury of several troops,” foreign ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot said.

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Geagea Meets Suleiman: Asir Phenomenon Product of Hizbullah Phenomenon

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea noted on Monday that the “phenomenon” of Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir is a product of local conditions in Lebanon, calling on all Lebanese to support the army and state given the clashes in the southern city of Sidon.

He told Free Lebanon radio: “The phenomenon of Hizbullah produced several other phenomenons, including that of al-Asir.”

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Aoun Links Sidon Clashes to Uncontrolled Flow of Syrian Refugees into Lebanon

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun condemned on Monday the clashes in the southern city of Sidon, linking the unrest to the “uncontrolled” flow of Syrian refugees into Lebanon.

He said during a press conference: “We had repeatedly stressed the need to pay attention to the flow of refugees in order to prevent their transformation into rebels who may combat the army.”

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Qabbani Rejects Army Defection Calls, Warns Sidon Incident Boosts Sedition

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani rejected on Monday calls on Sunnis to defect the army, saying they promote sedition and leads to chaos.

“It's not allowed to engage in battles with the army under any pretexts,” Qabbani said in a statement.

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March 14 from Zahle: Bekaa Residents Paying Price for Harboring Syrian Refugees

The March 14 General Secretariat condemned on Monday the “security chaos” in the Bekaa region, warning that its residents are at risk of paying the price of sectarian strife.

It said in a statement: “The residents of the region are paying the price for their harboring of the majority of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.”

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