Tripoli Figures Urge Intensive Security Measures, Reject Vigilante Groups
Tripoli's politicians and dignitaries on Friday said they reject to entrust vigilante groups with the security of their city in the wake of twin bombings that left more than 40 people dead and 600 others wounded, urging state authorities to “intensify security measures.”
“The conferees urge the city's residents to show patience, steadfastness and solidarity in order to heal the wounds. We also urge them to cooperate with all security forces to guarantee the security of their city,” said a statement recited by MP Mohammed Kabbara following an emergency meeting at this residence.
“The conferees want to draw the attention of their people to the fact that the treacherous hand that is striving to import the region's blaze into Lebanon is also promoting the schemes of vigilante groups which will lead to militias and civil wars,” the statement added.
Tripoli's dignitaries called on security forces to perform their role in a “firm manner in order to preserve security and pursue the culprits,” urging residents to “embrace the state.”
They also called for facilitating the formation of a cabinet that can “provide stability and security for people."
“Those who killed thousands in Syria are the same parties that are trying to drag Lebanon into strife,” the statement said.
“Tripoli's residents enjoy full awareness and they have no other choice but the state, but we urge preemptive measures as everyone had expected bombings similar to the Ruwais blast,” it added.
Answering a reporter's question, Kabbara said the Internal Security Forces must be “reinforced and given security equipment to detect explosives in the vein of what's happening in the other regions.”
“The hand of terror and crime does not belong to any sect or religion and all regions must be vigilant,” he said.
Kabbara played down reports of a deployment by gunmen across the city in the wake of the blasts, describing them as a “spontaneous reaction” and stressing that the only refuge is the state.
For his part, State Minister Ahmed Karami said "Tripoli's residents reject to entrust vigilante groups with their security and a new cabinet must formed as the caretaker cabinet cannot protect citizens in a proper manner."
Later on Friday, al-Mustaqbal movement issued a statement urging Tripoli's residents to "exercise calm and cooperate with the legitimate security forces, who remain the only and last sanctuary for Lebanon and the Lebanese."
It urged them "not to heed rumors seeking to capitalize on these criminal bombings to consolidate the idea of vigilante groups, which must be rejected by all the Lebanese at all times."
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