[8] The Syrian civil war has heightened sectarian tensions within Lebanon, particularly between Sunni and Shia Muslims, many of whom support opposing sides and have entered the conflict in large numbers.

Some Sunni leaders in Lebanon have likewise at various points in time called for Jihad against the Assad government in Syria, and urged Lebanese to join.

Clashes broke out between gunmen backing Hezbollah and Sheik al-Assir, both sides wielding automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.

Assir reportedly fled the complex at around 10 a.m., shortly after the Army stormed the premises which the military gradually gained control over throughout the day.

The warrants included the names of Assir's brother, and singer Fadl Shaker, who gave up his singing career to follow al-Assir.

[4][13][14] The raid on the compound at noon came after an attempt by a group of Salafi preachers to mediate a truce reached a dead end, with the Army determined to continue its operations until Assir was captured and his followers crushed, the sources said.

[3][17] Partly as a result of Assir's calls for help while holed up in his mosque in Sidon, thousands of youths in the outskirts of a slum in Cairo, Egypt attacked a Shia gathering there and killed its leader and three of his followers.