Plumbly Condemns 'Terrorist' Bir Hassan Blasts, Urges Restraint
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly condemned on Tuesday the twin blasts that rocked Beirut's southern suburb of Bir Hassan.
He emphasized “the need for restraint as the authorities try to find those who are responsible for this criminal act and to bring them and those behind it to justice.”
He made his remarks after holding talks with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail.
“This appalling attack underlines yet again the importance of all parties in Lebanon and of the international community, the friends of Lebanon, coming together in support of security and stability here,” he stressed.
Plumbly continued: “I would like to underline here our condemnation, the condemnation of the United Nations, of this terrorist attack, to extend our sympathies and condolences to all those who have been affected by it.”
“We underline our support to the authorities as they seek to deal with the situation,” he added.
At least 20 people were killed in twin explosions that occurred in Hizbullah's stronghold of Bir Hassan on Tuesday.
Miqati and Plumbly also addressed the situation in the Bekaa town of Arsal and the needs of the thousands of Syrian refugees who have arrived there in the past few days.
“Cooperation between the authorities, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the United Nations in addressing this challenge has been particularly close,” Plumbly noted.
“Contingency plans have been put into effect, and the Humanitarian Coordinator and the head of U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon are in Arsal today to see how things are going,” he remarked.
“The Lebanese authorities deserve great credit, and I said this to Miqati, for their response to date, and we will work closely with them to ensure that the necessary assistance is available for the refugees and for the people hosting them,” he said.
The town is seeing a massive influx of refugees since last Friday as a result of the heavy fighting in the mountainous region of Qalamoun across the border in Syria.
Qara is the focal point of the Syrian regime's offensive against rebels along with the nearby towns of Rima and Nabak.
Arsal, which lies 12 kilometers from the border with Syria, has been used as a conduit for weapons and rebels to enter Syria, while also serving as a refuge for people fleeing the conflict.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/106352 |