Security Forces Foil Bomber at Hamra's Costa Cafe

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Army intelligence agents arrested overnight Saturday a would-be suicide bomber at the Costa cafe in Beirut's Hamra district.

A man wearing an explosive bomb belt was detained by authorities after entering the crowded cafe in Hamra, one of the capital's busiest areas, security sources told AFP.

The cafe is on the main street of the bustling district, and was filled with people socializing on a weekend evening when the arrest occurred around 11:00 pm.

The sources said the man was being followed by security forces, who have stepped up foot patrols in the neighborhood in recent weeks.

The man was injured during the arrest, with several soldiers holding him down to ensure he was not able to detonate the belt, one security source said.

He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment before interrogation, the sources added.

An army statement identified the would-be bomber as 25-year-old Lebanese national Omar al-Assi, saying he hails from the southern city of Sidon according to an ID found on him after the arrest.

The statement also said the operation was a joint effort with the Intelligence Branch of the Internal Security Forces.

Military sources told LBCI television that the would-be attacker had taken part in the 2013 deadly clashes between the army and Ahmed al-Asir's group in the Sidon suburb of Abra.

“He was wanted on multiple arrest warrants and loyal to a group led by Shahine Suleiman and Mutassem Qaddoura,” the sources added.

Media reports said Assi eventually became affiliated with the extremist Islamic State group and that confessions by another would-be bomber who was arrested in Tripoli in recent days had contributed to thwarting the attack in Hamra.

The National News Agency said army intelligence agents raided Assi's house in Sidon's al-Sharhabil area hours after the attack where they seized a computer and arrested two of his brothers and several of his relatives from the Bukhari and Habli families.

Lebanon has been hit by a string of bomb attacks in recent years, with some linked to the ongoing war in neighboring Syria.

Some of the deadliest blasts have targeted neighborhoods sympathetic to Hizbullah, which is fighting alongside Syria's government against an uprising.

The casualties in the blasts have been almost exclusively civilians.

The Hamra neighborhood, a district known for shopping and nightlife, has not previously been hit by an attack.

But in June 2016, the army said it had arrested jihadists from the Islamic State group planning attacks against busy areas, including Hamra.

An AFP correspondent in Hamra said a heavy security presence remained in place with the cafe and several nearby restaurants closing after the incident.

But residents and nightlife goers could still be seen on the street, which was reopened to traffic around an hour after the arrest.

Comments 22
Thumb lubnani.masi7i 22 January 2017, 11:19

They can identify and arrest an unidentified would be suicide bomber but they cannot arrest the shia terrorists known by name, address and location who kidnapped Mr. Risha in the bekaa a few days ago.

Missing humble 22 January 2017, 11:51

True and Very well said.

Thumb _mowaten_ 23 January 2017, 00:03

you guys sound bitter, and rightfully so. may you terrorist supporters remain eternally bitter in your defeats and failures.

Thumb warrior 23 January 2017, 03:38

and how did you come to this conclusion ya irani?

Thumb _mowaten_ 23 January 2017, 12:13

Like anyone who reads your whining would. Meanwhile, you can stay bitter, and stay deluded, nobody cares.

Thumb Mystic 22 January 2017, 14:06

Wonderful job by the Lebanese Army, and good thing they cathced Saudi.salafis brothers.

Thumb Puppet 22 January 2017, 14:31

I respect Mr. Mystic's linguistic abilities and command of the English language and for saying they 'catched' saudi salafi brothers.

Thumb janoubi 22 January 2017, 19:04

loool

Thumb EagleDawn 22 January 2017, 18:14

@flametroller, your posts are neither clever, nor constructive, so if you have nothing worth saying, just read silently or alternatively you can choke (:

Thumb Southern...... 22 January 2017, 11:53

"Lebanon Foils Bomber in Busy Beirut District"

his followers & cousins begin spewing their filth lamenting the failure of the mission!

Thumb galaxy 22 January 2017, 13:05

Southern, when are you going to congratulate hariri as you promised ya takiah sectarian?

Thumb Mystic 22 January 2017, 14:07

The Salafis of Naharnet are again annoyed that their salafi plots failed once again in Beirut.

Thumb galaxy 22 January 2017, 13:04

LBCI: مقهى كوستا في الحمرا فتح اليوم أبوابه أمام الزبائن والانتحاري جلس داخل المقهى واحتسى القهوة ثم طلب الشوكولا قبل ان تحبط القوى الأمنية العملية.

This suicide bomber likes to live the high life: coffee and chocolate before the mission;)

Thumb ashtah 22 January 2017, 15:43

hehe did he order chocolate eclairs too? this story does not add up.... the security forces were apparently following him from saida to Beirut and they only made the arrest inside the restaurant?

Thumb justin 22 January 2017, 17:36

any ((((((opinion))))) on the article mr. coitus.interruptus?

Thumb EagleDawn 22 January 2017, 17:44

shhhhhh justin, deep in its mind, @flametroller thinks it's relevant.. it's okay, lets just entertain this illusion the poor thing has..

Default-user-icon suburb (Guest) 22 January 2017, 14:32

How convenient, no one is talking about the Richa kidnapping anymore.

Thumb lubnani.masi7i 22 January 2017, 15:30

I wonder how the chairman and CEO of several companies has the time to troll naharnet and prepare for a Monday morning board meeting?

Thumb ashtah 22 January 2017, 15:44

lol

Thumb janoubi 22 January 2017, 19:03

sorry to rain on your parade blablabla, but i doubt that terrorist needs to employ an army of trolls to show your irrelevance and stupidity.... it is obvious to all. The quality and content of your comments speak for themselves. Make sure you get enough sleep for your early morning briefing on wall street.

Thumb justin 22 January 2017, 16:56

if trump is not your father, do you know who is, @blablablablabla?

Thumb enterprise 23 January 2017, 06:32

exactly, he expects people to vote him up when he only writes rubbish:)!