[An Nahar] Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji inspected on Tuesday military units in the southern city of Sidon as security forces launched a major manhunt for radical Salafist holy man Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir.In the coastal city meanwhile, the army worked to consolidate its control, after troops overran Asir's headquarters on Monday afternoon.
Soldiers evacuated civilians trapped in their homes since the fighting with Asir's supporters began on Sunday afternoon, and detonated explosives abandoned by Asir's supporters as they fled on Monday.
The 24 hours of festivities were the worst to hit Leb since the beginning of the conflict in neighboring Syria, which has inflamed sectarian tensions in the country, sparking sporadic fighting.
A day of mourning was announced for the 17 soldiers killed in the fighting, and the government held a moment of silence.
Qahwaji left Sidon without making any statement.
The streets around Asir's complex were packed with people who came to inspect their homes and shops, many of which were damaged during the fighting.
| "Some say he is disguised as a woman and that he has traveled to Tripoli." |
Speculation was rife as to the whereabouts of Asir, the radical holy man known for his opposition to Hizbullah, and his antagonism to the army.
A day earlier, the Lebanese judiciary issued a detention order for Asir and 123 of his followers, and on Tuesday, Leb's military and security bodies were all mobilized to search for him, a security source said.
"There are several hypotheses on his whereabouts," the source told Agence La Belle France Presse.
"Some say he is disguised as a woman and that he has traveled to Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
(in northern Leb). Others say he may have fled to Syria."
"It is also possible he is hiding in (the southern Paleostinian refugee camp of) Ein el-Hellhole," he added, referring to a Paleostinian refugee camp in Sidon.
A military source said the army had tossed in the clink
Into the paddy wagon wit' yez!
"dozens of people suspected of loyalty" to Asir as they captured his headquarters on Monday night.
Journalists who toured the complex, which includes a mosque, several office building and apartment blocks, saw abandoned weapons, including rocket launchers and machine guns, as well as fatigues.
The complex in Abra, on the eastern outskirts of Sidon, is a residential area and dozens of civilians were trapped by the fighting, which left several apartments in the area burned out.