The Arab League condemned on Monday the attack against the Lebanese army by supporters of Salafist cleric Ahmad al-Assir in the southern city of Sidon on Sunday.

The Arab League condemned on Monday the attack against the Lebanese army by supporters of Salafist cleric Ahmad al-Assir in the southern city of Sidon on Sunday, calling on all Lebanese powers to exert efforts to avert strife.

Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi warned of the “dangers of targeting the army,” demanding that the assailants be arrested and brought to justice.

“Supporting the army will help it perform its national duties seeing as it is the symbol of Lebanon's unity, security and stability,” he said.

He also called on all political and religious leaderships to tackle the deteriorating security situation in Sidon in order to protect the people.

Sixteen soldiers have been killed in the clashes, the army said Monday, in violence tied to rising sectarian tensions.

The security cabinet pledged the military would fight until it "finishes with" al-Assir.

A military judge issued a warrant for the controversial cleric's arrest, a judicial source said.

The violence is among the worst in Lebanon since the emergence of the Assir’s phenomenon, which has inflamed sectarian tensions in the city.