LEBANON: Supporters of Sunni Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Aseer protest in central Beirut, calling for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to be tried as ''war ciminal''

Record ID: 280391

  • Title: LEBANON: Supporters of Sunni Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Aseer protest in central Beirut, calling for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to be tried as ''war ciminal''
  • Date: 5th March 2012
  • Summary: PROTESTERS WAVING OLD SYRIAN FLAG SHAKER SINGING ON PLATFORM A PRO-SYRIAN OPPOSITION SONG VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS SINGING ALONG WOMEN SUPPORTING SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD BEHIND BARRICADE, CARRYING PICTURE OF ASSAD WOMEN CHANTING SECURITY FORCES VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SUPPORTING ASSAD BEHIND BARRICADE
  • Embargoed: 20th March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon, Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADIJK46RMBXSPLGQB44V14ZD1F
  • Story Text: Hundreds of supporters of a Sunni Salafist cleric protested in central Beirut on Sunday (March 4), in solidarity with the uprising in Syria.
    Sheikh Ahmed Al-Aseer from the southern city of Sidon called for the protest to be held in Beirut so ''the message will come out stronger and quicker.'' Hundreds of soldiers and scores of military trucks and jeeps blocked off the centre of Beirut early on Sunday ahead of the anti-Assad protest and another one close by in support of Assad.
    ''We want to tell the world stop letting us down especially when it comes to the massacres in Syria which are among the ugliest in modern times, we will not be silenced and we call for putting Bashar al-Assad on trial as a war criminal along with his supporters,'' said the cleric who has been known recently across the country for his anti-Assad stance.
    The popular Lebanese singer, Fadel Shaker, was also at the protest, where he denounced the actions of Assad.
    "I'm proud to be here on the streets to be here in the streets, after all the crimes that have been committed by this tyrant Bashar al-Assad, and all his associates," he said.
    The United Nations says Syrian security forces have killed more than 7,500 civilians since the revolt against the Assad family's four decade rule began in March last year.
    Taking part in the protest against Assad was well-known singer Fadel Shaker who took the stage to sing revolutionary songs which protesters sang along to.
    Across from them, behind the barricades, another group of protesters chanted in support of Assad.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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