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Lebanon's state-run National News Agency says security forces have conducted several raids near the coastal southern city of Sidon in search of suspects following the arrest of a hard-line Sunni cleric.

NNA says security forces are acting quickly Sunday following the arrest of Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir so that his supporters won't be able to escape.

Al-Assir was detained at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport on Saturday as he was trying to flee the country in a disguise and using a forged passport.

Local TV stations reported that authorities collected DNA samples from al-Assir's parents to help confirm his identity.

Al-Assir, a firebrand anti-Hezbollah cleric, had been on the run since June 2013 after his armed supporters clashed with the Lebanese army in Sidon.

This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.

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