British minister concerned about Sidon violence

British Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt has offered his condolences to the families of those killed in violent clashes in the Lebanese city of Sidon over the last few days. In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Burt also reiterated his support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in the battle against followers of Sunni Muslim cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir. "I am very concerned about the violence in Sidon, including the deaths of a number of members of the Lebanese Armed Forces," he said.   "I would like to offer condolences to the families of those who have died and to reaffirm our strong support for the Lebanese Armed Forces in their efforts to maintain the country’s hard-won peace.   "I urge all parties in Lebanon to back the security forces, to abide by the policy of disassociation from the Syria conflict, and to reach an early agreement on a new consensus government able to lead Lebanon through the challenges it now faces." the minister concluded. Fifteen Lebanese soldiers were killed during a two-day operation to eliminate armed supporters of al-Assir from the southern city.