At least 12 killed in Syria-related clashes in LebanonJune 24, 2013 - 09:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least 12 people were killed in fierce clashes in the Lebanese city of Sidon on Sunday, June 23, between the army and followers of a Sunni Muslim cleric who have been caught up in sectarian fighting fuelled by the war in neighboring Syria, Reuters reported. Guns and rocket fire rattled the port city 40 km (28 miles) south of Beirut that has been on edge since violence erupted there last week between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim fighters, at odds over the Syrian conflict. Lebanese authorities have been trying to quell the fighting and Sunday's clashes began when police arrested a follower of hardline cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir at a checkpoint, sources in the city told Reuters. Other Assir backers attacked security forces in the city in retaliation and called on their supporters to come out onto the streets across Lebanon. Ten soldiers were killed and 40 wounded, a security source said. At least two Sunni gunmen were killed and 13 wounded, he added. Syria's conflict, pitting mainly Sunni rebels against President Bashar al-Assad, an Alawite from an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam, has strained fragile sectarian relations in Lebanon and triggered clashes in Sidon and other cities. Tensions have mounted since the Lebanese Shi'ite militant group Hezbollah sent fighters over the border to back Assad. The Lebanese army launched a crackdown in Sidon and sent troops to potential hot spots across Beirut, aiming to stop clashes spreading to the capital. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life, Strong Mind IDBank and Idram summarize the results of the May program of “The Power of One Dram”. Yerevan State University, Ucom sign Memorandum of Cooperation Rector of Yerevan State University Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian signed the memorandum. EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. |