Charbel Seeking Security Plan for Sidon to Tackle Any Development in City
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel is seeking to develop a security plan for the southern city of Sidon given the ongoing tensions since the end of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir’s sit-in on Wednesday, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal on Sunday.
The minister tasked on Saturday the heads of various security agencies in the city to propose suggestions over the security plan, security sources told the daily.
Charbel had headed on Saturday a meeting of the Security Council of the South.
The sources added that the establishment of a joint operations room for the security forces to tackle any emergency is among the suggestions.
They also include intensifying Internal Security Forces patrols in Sidon and setting up a “security point” near the Bilal bin Rabah mosque that is overseen by Asir.
In addition, the proposals called for the establishment of an ISF station at the entrance of old section of Sidon.
Charbel warned at the beginning of Saturday’s meeting that the situation in Sidon is reminiscent of those of 1975 that preceded the Lebanese civil war.
“The situation should not be repeated in 2012,” warned the minister.
He added: “Blocking roads in Lebanon is forbidden and the recent developments should not be repeated in Sidon or any other region.”
He urged all sides’ cooperation to avoid any confrontation, “which can only be resolved through dialogue.”
Asir ended his 35-day sit-in on Wednesday.
He has set it up demanding the disarmament of Hizbullah.
Many of Sidon’s political figures and business owners slammed the sit-in, describing it as a threat to the southern city’s security and economy.
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