Lebanese from across political spectrum condemn bombing
President vows “no surrender to criminal acts
Wednesday”s bombing in the coastal city of Tripoli gathered wide condemnation from across the Lebanese political spectrum, with President Michel Sleiman describing the bombing as "an atrocious criminal act." "The Lebanese army and security forces will not surrender to any criminal acts," Sleiman said in a statement Wednesday.
Sleiman called for the intensification of investigations into criminal acts in Lebanon "as a crucial step to stopping them from reaching further ends."
The president also offered his condolences to the families of those killed and hoped for a speedy recovery of the injured.
"Honesty and reconciliation among the Lebanese will strengthen their unity and allow them to stand against terrorism that only benefits Israel.
At least 14 people were killed and 40 wounded in the bomb blast that ripped through a busy shopping street in the heart of the Mediterranean port city of Tripoli during the morning rush hour Wednesday.
Head of the Democratic Gathering bloc MP Walid Jumblatt said in a statement that the bombing was "a dangerous aggression that should push the government into granting the Lebanese army the right to gather weapons from all parties."
He added that any local or regional support for what he called the "forces of darkness" will push Lebanon into a situation like that in Iraq.
Jumblatt underlined the need to refrain from providing political cover to armed organizations and demanded that all attacks on the Lebanese army "end immediately." The MP also called on all parties to allow the army to fulfill its duties.
"I call on all parties to unite behind the Lebanese army and security services to face these terrorist activities and to protect North Lebanon and the city of Tripoli," Jumblatt said.
Also commenting on the bombing, parliamentary majority leader MP Saad Hariri told the Future News television channel that Lebanon, the army and Tripoli in particular "are the targets of an ongoing plot that includes previous terrorist crimes across the country."
"But we will fight this plot against Lebanon, its people and institutions," he added.
"We only have the state to protect us," Hariri said, "and I call on the president to protect the citizens of Tripoli."
He said that those who committed the crime are "cowards, and they will pay the price for their actions."
"Wednesday”s bombing will strengthen our will and determination," Hariri said, adding that he "calls on political factions in Tripoli to stay united and to back the Lebanese army and security services."
Hizbullah issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the explosion in Tripoli, and called on the Lebanese to support the Lebanese Army. The statement also praised the army”s role in ensuring civil peace and stability in the country. Hizbullah sent its condolences to the victims” families and demanded that security agencies bring to justice those behind the explosion.
Defense Minister Elias Murr said authorities would punish "all those involved in the Tripoli combing." He added that the army, "which made huge sacrifices to preserve unity, stability and freedom in Lebanon, will not fear the crime."
"The army is now stronger and will fight terrorism and convict the criminals wherever they are," he added.
Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea refused to accuse any party of being behind the attack. "We will wait for the results of the investigation, because unlike the previous times, there is no clear evidence, and the event is ambiguous," Geagea told Future News Television.
Geagea also expressed his sympathy for the people of Tripoli and the victims” families, and sent his special condolences to the Army Command. "Nothing explains murdering people this way," Geagea said.
Tripoli”s political figures on Wednesday condemned the bombing and called on the government to provide a "clear-cut security strategy.
Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati requested the officials reshuffle all existing intelligence and security measures to facilitate identifying and prosecuting the criminals behind the attack quickly and end the violence that has ravaged the northern city for months.
"All leaders must uncover any person related to this crime, no matter their political affiliation," Mikati said.
"This explosion was meant to boost the age-old conspiracy of sustaining violence in the North," Mikati added.
The former premier also called for "the implementation of definite and serious security measures in Tripoli instead of temporary settlements."
Economy and Trade Minister and Tripoli MP Mohammad Safadi said he feared the attack was aimed at increasing divisions between the "Lebanese army and the Lebanese people."
He also dismissed claims that the attack was connected to Sleiman”s visit to Damascus, adding that "any effort to tie the two events together would be negative."
Meanwhile, Future Movement MPs in the northern province of Akkar said in a statement on Wednesday that the bombing was part of a continuous series of criminal acts.
They added in that the explosion was a dangerous security message ahead of Sleiman”s arrival in Syria on Wednesday to discuss bilateral ties.
The statement said that an atmosphere of national unity "could annoy certain groups, which is why some are trying hard to create insecurity and instability in Lebanon."
Religious figures from all sects also condemned the attack, with Mufti of the North and Tripoli Sheikh Malek al-Shaar calling it "a renewed conspiracy to destabilize the security in Tripoli, especially after the repeated attempts to retain stability."
Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani said the "heinous crime" was aimed at driving Lebanon into strife.
"This is a terrorist message and a security breach that must be dealt with on the political and security levels," Mufti Qabbani said in a statement.
"This is a challenge to the government," he said. "This is why practical measures must be adopted and radical changes must be made to prevent further crimes of this nature."
He said that targeting the army was clearly "a plot aimed at undermining confidence in the military institution and its ability to combat terrorism."
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir condemned the explosion, saying he regretted the renewed violence in the city.
Sfeir called for unity and cooperation between various factions in the northern coastal city, and said he hoped for peace and stability in Lebanon.
Vice President of the Higher Shiite Council Sheikh Abdel-Amir Qabalan said the attack targeted both the army and the population and was aimed at "undermining civil peace, which is to be consolidated through cooperation and consensus."
"Political agreements do not eliminate the chances for disagreements … but I reassure the Lebanese that strife will not spread," General Michel Aoun added.