U.S. 'Strongly Condemns' Deadly Jabal Mohsen Bombing

The United States on Sunday condemned the Jabal Mohsen suicide bombing that killed nine people and pledged its support for Lebanon's security forces.

"The United States strongly condemns yesterday’s suicide bombing at the Omran Cafe in the Jabal Mohsen neighborhood of Tripoli, Lebanon," said Marie Harf, the State Department's deputy spokeswoman.

"The United States will continue its strong support for the Lebanese security forces as they protect the Lebanese people, combat violent extremists, and preserve Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty, and security," she said.

The attack, which hit a Tripoli neighborhood inhabited by members of Syrian President Bashar Assad's Alawite sect, was claimed by al-Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of al-Qaida.

The Lebanese army has identified the two suicide bombers as Taha Samir al-Khayyal and Bilal Mohammed al-Meraayan, saying they were both residents of Tripoli's al-Mankoubeen district, which lies just 500 meters from Jabal Mohsen.