U.S., France Condemn Friday”s Bombing

The United States and France on Friday condemned the powerful blast in Beirut”s Chevrolet neighborhood that killed a top police officer who had been probing terrorist bombings.

 

“This crime is yet another direct and hideous attack against Lebanon”s state institutions,” the U.S. embassy said in a statement.

 

“This attack is the latest in a series over the last three years targeting those who are working to protect the Lebanese and secure Lebanon”s independence and sovereignty,” it said.

 

The statement also reiterated the U.S. commitment to support “Lebanon”s legitimate institutions, its democracy and independence.”

 

Capt. Wissam Eid, a member of the Internal Security Forces (ISF), and three other people were killed in the morning rush hour explosion.

 

ISF chief Brig. Gen. Ashraf Rifi said Eid was handling “very important” files, including “all those having to do with the terrorist bombings” in Lebanon.

 

France also denounced the attack and urged the international community to intervene to stop the cycle of assassinations of recent years.