Armed forces directed by Salafist Sheikh Ahmed al-Aseer, prayer leader of Bilal Mosque in Sidon, clashed with the citizens on Sunday, Al-Hadath website reported.
They shot at posters and banners put up in the city on the occasion of the month of Muharram, marking the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS). The Salafist forces also shot at the images of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
A number of people have been killed and wounded as a result of the skirmishes, including Hezbollah official Sheikh Zayd Zaher.
The army has been put on high alert following the clashes and Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the issue.
Sheikh Ahmed al-Aseer is an extremist Salafist who has admitted to have received foreign financial aid. He had recently urged for direct war with Hezbollah and its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
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