It was the first attack of its kind on the historic mosque.
In April 2009 a terrorist attack on the mosque killed more than 30 people.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack on the mosque.
During the week, there were attacks on mosques and Muslim schools.
The told us to put a white flag on the mosque.
There was another attempt of arson on the same mosque 3 days earlier.
"Marines did not fire on the mosque," the statement said.
The close watch on the mosque was evident early this morning, when a man with a sheet draped over his head tried to leave.
Do they become part of a dossier on the mosque and its followers?
According to reports, work on the mosque would begin within five months and will be completed in less than two years, the faction argues.