Lebanese Troops Clash With Protesters in Tripoli and Sidon

Protesters not happy about the military's treatment of a cleric

Lebanese troops have clashed with protesters in the coastal cities of Sidon and Tripoli after they gathered at the end of Friday prayers.

Extensive gunfire was reported in the southern city of Sidon, but few details regarding casualties were available.

The military moved to break up the demonstration after protesters tried to reach the mosque complex where fugitive cleric Ahmad al-Assir used to give his sermons.

The compound has been under army control since Monday, after two days of fighting between troops and Assir's followers that left dozens of people dead, many of them soldiers.