Asir: We Suspended Decision to Form Armed Brigade Pending Consultations
Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir announced on Saturday his intention to form a “resistance brigade” in the southern city of Sidon.
He said during a press conference: “The decision to form the brigade has been suspended pending consultations with various powers.”
He explained that the decision stemmed from the frequent Israeli assaults against the southern city and the need for self-defense.
Discussions on the mechanism needed to form the brigade will be held with the concerned forces, he revealed.
A clash broke out on Sunday between al-Asir and Hizbullah supporters.
Two of Asir's companions and an Egyptian national died in the clash that was a product of sectarian tensions in Sidon.
Asir added: “No one can break our will and we will not back down from our revolt of dignity no matter how many of us they kill.”
“The Israeli assault on Gaza has prompted us to take the decision to form the brigade and the current so-called resistance has not been defending Lebanon,” he said in reference to Hizbullah.
“Our resistance will be aimed against Israel, not like other resistance groups that have turned their weapons towards the internal scene,” he stated.
He also attributed the failure to devise a defense strategy for Lebanon as a reason to form the “resistance brigade.”
Addressing Sunday's clash, Asir declared: “We demand justice for the dead and for the state to demonstrate that it can achieve justice.”
He also announced that an open-ended sit-in will be held at Sidon's Bilal bin Rabbah mosque until this issue is resolved.
“We have a blood score to settle with Hizbullah that can only be settled with blood,” he warned.
Addressing Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, he said: “I must admit to you that you have succeeded in forcing the state to fulfill your agenda, meaning Iran's.”
“You have committed murders with impunity in Lebanon and Syria for the sake of your agenda,” he noted.
“You have spread corruption starting with the illegal activity at ports and with the medications scandal,” Asir continued.
“I have repeatedly said that we have no problems with the Shiite sect, but we take issue with Hizbullah and its Iranian agenda,” stressed the imam of the Bilal bin Rabbah mosque.
Turning to the March 14 camp, he said: “You have contradicted your principles.”
“We do not count on those who headed to Doha and struck deals at the expense of the blood of slain former Premier Rafik Hariri,” he added.
“You must review your policies with your supporters and remain true to their aspirations,” he stated.
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