U.S. Slams Tayyouneh Blast, Voices Solidarity with Security Agencies as U.N. Urges Unity
Washington condemned on Tuesday the Tayyouneh blast and reaffirmed support for the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut denounced via twitter the attack that targeted an army checkpoint at the entrance of Beirut's southern suburbs.
“We wish a full recovery to those wounded in the attack,” the embassy said in a tweet.
Another tweet said that the United States reiterates “its support for the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces in their mission to uphold security.”
For his part, U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly strongly condemned the bombing, underlining "the need for continued unity in Lebanon in the face of the terrorist threat."
He paid tribute to "all that the security forces are doing to sustain security and stability in the country," reiterating the United Nations’ solidarity with the Government and people of Lebanon "as they stand up to this threat."
A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed vehicle near an army checkpoint and a cafe at the entrances of Dahiyeh early Tuesday, killing a General Security member and wounding 20 others.
The explosion occurred just after midnight near the Abu Assaf cafe, where people had gathered to watch World Cup matches.
It was the second explosion in a week and comes amid mounting regional tensions over dramatic events in nearby Iraq, where the al-Qaida splinter group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has seized large chunks of territory in the country's north and west.
H.K.
G.K.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/136268 |