Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat lamented on Saturday the rise of extremism in Lebanon at the expense of moderation, stressing the need to combat it through backing the state and the army.

He said in a statement: “The recent developments demonstrate that the spread of arms cannot be tackled through more arms … but through the return to dialogue.”

Gunmen took to the streets in Tripoli and blocked roads as demos were held in Beirut's Tariq al-Jedideh in support of fugitive cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir, in what protesters dubbed the Sunni sect's “day of rage.”

State-run National News Agency said armed men blocked the old seaside road that links Tripoli to Beirut at the al-Behsas area and “forced shops to close.”

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly stated that his recent visit to Tripoli was a demonstration of the international community's support for the northern city, reported As Safir newspaper Friday.

He told the daily that the residents need to be reminded of their loyalties to the city and the need to keep it secure despite the conflict in Syria.

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed on Tuesday that arrest warrants will be issued against all gunmen involved in the clashes in the southern city of Sidon, vowing that justice will take its course in this issue.

Charbel said: “Arrest warrants will be issued against individuals who attacked the army and made statements of incitement against it.”

Phalange Party MP Sami Gemayel condemned on Monday the clashes in the southern city of Sidon, voicing the party's support for the army's efforts to crackdown on the gunmen.

He said after the party's weekly politburo meeting: “A curfew should be imposed in all the regions that are witnessing tensions.”

Muslim Ulemas accused the state of failing to contain security unrest in Lebanon, blaming Hizbullah for usurping its decision-making power.

Salafist cleric Sheikh Salem al-Rafehi said after a meeting that the Ulemas “will no longer intervene to contain street tensions” after the state failed to perform its duties.

Gunmen have been roaming the streets of the northern city of Tripoli on Monday morning in a show of support to Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir, reported the National News Agency.

The gunmen on motorcycles have been firing gunshots into the air in order to intimidate the people and force them to close their stores.

Sunday’s clashes in the southern city of Sidon spilled over other Lebanese regions, as roads were blocked in the North, the Bekaa and Beirut and army patrols came under fire in Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp.

This come after two army officers, a sergeant and three soldiers were martyred and several others were wounded earlier on Sunday in a clash with supporters of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir in the Sidon suburb of Abra, the Army Command said in a statement.

One person was accidentally killed on Friday in the Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhood in the northern city of Tripoli, reported the National News Agency.

It said that Amer al-Samadi was accidentally critically wounded during an individual dispute that broke out in the city.

The army said in a communique on Friday that it will not tolerate outlaws and will confront them with all the available means.

“The army command called for self-restraint and not to b driven by rumors,” the statement said.