[An Nahar] Fugitive Salafist holy man Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir is residing in the Ein el-Hellhole Paleostinian refugee camp in southern Leb, reported An Nahar daily on Wednesday.Intelligence information said that it was almost certain that he is staying at the Abdullah bin al-Zabir Mosque in the Tawari neighborhood in the camp.
It added that Islamist Haitham al-Shaabi and his armed supporters are providing him with protection.
Al-Asir is in contact with his supporters in various locations in Leb.
Fatah leader in Leb Munir al-Maqdah later denied these reports to Voice of Leb radio(93.3).
Singer turned Salafist Fadel Shaker meanwhile is residing in the Taamir neighborhood of Ein el-Hellhole and he is in constant communication with the holy man through common Lebanese and Paleostinian friends, said An Nahar.
In a related note, security sources told the daily that two of al-Asir's supporters Sheikhs Otham Hnaineh and Iyyad al-Saleh were released from custody after being given a stern warning against calling the Salafist holy man's to a rally.
A third holy man, Sheikh Assem al-Arefi, remains in jug.
He was tossed in the clink
Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please!
for leading a campaign to garner al-Asir's supporters to rally in support of the runaway holy man.
On August 6, the army arrested two supporters of al-Asir Hadi Qawwas and Mohammed Wehbeh in the Sharhabil region near of Sidon over their involvement in June's festivities against the military institution.
The fighting near Sidon was sparked on June 23 when al-Asir's supporters shot up an army checkpoint, leaving around 18 soldiers and more than 20 gunnies dead.
The gunbattles were concentrated in the area of Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque and nearby buildings in Abra.