BEIRUT: Families of soldiers killed during the 2013 Sidon clashes slammed the country’s politicians Sunday for protecting suspects accused of attacking the military, and demanded death sentences against those accused of killing troops.
The large protest staged in Martyrs’ Square in Downtown Beirut was attended by the families of martyred soldiers and their supporters, who carried Lebanese Army flags in a sign of solidarity with the institution.
Mothers of martyred soldiers took to the podium to express their dismay with politicians and the judiciary for their lax treatment of suspects accused of terrorist operations against Lebanese soldiers.
The protest comes as a response to reports of a deal with fugitive singer-turned-Salafist Fadel Shaker that would allow him to leave the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh, where he is currently hiding.
Shaker was allegedly alongside firebrand preacher Ahmad al-Assir and his militia when the group fought pitched battles with the Lebanese Army in Sidon during the summer of 2013, resulting in the deaths of 20 soldiers and 28 gunmen loyal to Assir.
Shaker, Assir’s most notorious protege, previously alleged that he had personally killed two members of the Army during the battle.
The mother of Nadim Semaan, a soldier martyred during the Sidon clashes, gave a heated speech Sunday in which she said that “we reject any settlement and we reject any deal with terrorists.”
The mother, who raised her son’s military boots on the podium, said “with these boots we will step on the neck of Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir and Fadel Shaker.”
Semaan’s father and the families of other martyrs also voiced their objection to issuance of statements by any politician during the rally. “If any politician comes to this podium, I will break all the microphones and the video cameras,” Semaan’s father said.
According to Semaan’s mother, the animosity toward politicians stems from the belief that notable figures such as former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi and others have protected fugitives like militant commanders Shadi al-Mawlawi and Sheikh Khaled Hablas, who are wanted for orchestrating attacks against the Lebanese Army.
Lawyer Ziad Bitar will file lawsuits against Shaker and Assir on behalf of the families of the soldiers in order to ensure that a settlement won’t secure their freedom, the mother of one martyred soldier said.
The mother, who announced that 18 separate lawsuits would be filed against the two suspects, addressed Shaker saying, “we will leave this protest site when you are hanged.”
Shaker’s support for the Salafist sheikh was first made public when he attended a rally organized by Assir in Downtown Beirut in 2012. During the event the singer was seen kissing Assir’s forehead.
Shaker has also featured in several videos available on YouTube. In controversial footage released during the Sidon clashes, he addressed the Lebanese Army as “pigs and dogs,” while announcing the death of two soldiers and the wounding of 16. “May god increase their [casualties],” he added.
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