TEHRAN (ISNA)- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for African and Arab Countries Hossein Amir Abdollahian stressed solidarity of all Lebanese groups and streams."Given the current regional situation, Lebanon needs calm, security and unity more than any other time," he said referring to the recent clashes in Sidon, southern Lebanon.
He also reiterated that Israel is the enemy of the Islamic World.
Reports say that Salafist militants have killed at least 15 Lebanese soldiers in persisting clashes in the southern city of Sidon between the supporters of the radical group and Lebanons army.
Fighting between the two sides continued into Monday morning as Lebanese security forces attempted to encircle supporters of radical Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir after they waged a deadly attack against a Lebanese army checkpoint in the port city on Sunday.
The armed clashes have also left dozens of people injured.
According to witness accounts cited in local media reports, machine gun and rocket fire shook Sidon, about 40 kilometers (28 miles) south of Beirut, generating panic among residents.
The Lebanese army, meanwhile, blamed the deadly violence on the militants loyal to the hard-line cleric, who has fervently supported the foreign-backed Takfiri militants in Syria while expressing outrage over Hezbollahs supportive role on the side of the Syrian government.
Latest clashes reportedly broke out Sunday following the arrest of one of Assirs followers by the Lebanese police at a checkpoint.
By ISNA
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