Pro-Syria demonstrations in Lebanon

The Lebanese army and security forces implemented major security measures in Saida City, ahead of a pro-Syria demonstraion called by Salafi Sheikh Ahmed El Asir this afternoon. Sources told Arabstoday that Asir put in place security measures to prevent demonstrators from breaking security barriers and to ensure a calm, peaceful demonstration in support of the Syrian people.  Asir's supporters say the Lebanese army and security officials were informed of the measures. In response to the protest, the Mufti of Tripoli in Lebanon, Sheikh Malek al Shaar, said the event was not a significant action at all, but only a reaction to the violence in Syria.  He urged people to calm down, saying that Lebanon is going through it's own political instability and that it was time to give priority to the country's interests. Shaar also spoke of the weekend attack on the offices of the Future Movement, and called on security agencies to identify the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice. A stun grenade was tossed Saturday night at the offices of the Future Movement in Marayata village Zghorta, north Lebanon, leading to material damage but no injuries. Shaar said he wanted to stop the what he called the "western hands" that assaulted the Movement's office, saying that the country is going through a lot of instability and that it is a time for unity. "There is a wish to drag Lebanon and Tripoli to sedation, and there are malicious and cunning hands that are dragging the country to strife and fighting but the awareness will make Tripoli and the northern area disobey the sedition and explosion."  He said. Also today, Tripoli residents organised a gathering dubbed the 'Weapon Free Tripoli' to express their anger and rejection at the continuing security situation in the city and on the deteriorating economy after the recent events and clashes. The participants of the gathering are people from both Tripoli's rich and poor areas, who collectively demanded the return of security and stability to the city streets.