The Military Tribunal Tuesday postponed for the second time the trial of radical cleric Ahmad al-Assir over health concerns, angering families of the 18 Lebanese army soldiers killed during the 2013 clashes

The Military Tribunal Tuesday postponed for the second time the trial of radical cleric Ahmad al-Assir over health concerns, angering families of the 18 Lebanese army soldiers killed during the 2013 clashes with the preacher's supporters.

The new session, at the Military Tribunal, will be held on January 5, 2016.

His defense lawyer Antoine Naameh presented formal objections before the court, saying that his client needs permission from Dar al-Fatwa to stand before preliminary investigations due to his position as a cleric.

Military Court head Brig. Gen. Khalil Ibrahim ordered the formation of a medical team, comprised of a psychiatrist, general health physician and diabetes doctor, to observe Assir's medical condition and file reports to the court after his defense lawyers alleged that his health was deteriorating.
Judge Ibrahim allowed Assir to meet with his wife Amal Shameseddine and mother after the session was postponed.

The mother of soldier George Bou Saab, who attended the session, vowed not to rest until Assir is sentenced to death. "We will follow him to his grave," she said. "If I wasn't present at a court... I would've killed him and drank his blood," the mother said after leaving the session. "This criminal cannot remain alive while 18 men are buried underground," she added.