Families of Martyred Soldiers Reject Any Settlement with Terrorists

Families of Lebanese army soldiers killed during the 2013 Sidon clashes slammed the country’s politicians Sunday for protecting suspects accused of attacking the military, and demanded death sentences against those accused of killing troops.

Army familiesThe large protest staged in Martyrs’ Square in Downtown Beirut was attended by the families of martyred soldiers and their supporters, who carried Lebanese Army flags in a sign of solidarity with the institution.

The protest comes as a response to reports of a deal with fugitive singer-turned-Salafist Fadel Shaker that would allow him to leave the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh, where he is currently hiding.

Shaker was allegedly alongside firebrand preacher Ahmad al-Assir and his militia when the group fought pitched battles with the Lebanese Army in Sidon during the summer of 2013, resulting in the deaths of 20 soldiers.

Shaker previously alleged that he had personally killed two members of the Army during the battle.

The mother of Nadim Semaan, a soldier martyred during the Sidon clashes, gave a heated speech Sunday in which she said that “we reject any settlement and we reject any deal with terrorists.”