The death toll from the two powerful explosions that rocked Tripoli, Lebanon’s northern capital Friday, August 23 resulted in the killing of at least 42 people and the wounding of hundreds according to the latest report by the ministry of heath.
The explosions reported took place outside the Al-Taqwa Mosque in the city’s Al-Zahiriya area and the Al-Salam Mosque in the Al-Mina neighborhood.
The search for human remains is still ongoing at the scene of the blast outside al-Salam Mosque according to media reports.
Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani commented on the explosion by saying: ” Terrorism is the greatest weapon in the conspiracy against Lebanon, considering that sedition is the easiest way to burn down the region.” He added: “The Lebanese must not forget that Israel is their enemy”.
Caretaker PM Mikati issued a decree declaring Saturday a day of national mourning for the victims of Tripoli.
This is how Tripoli looked like few minutes ago
LBCI reported that President Michel Suleiman cut short his foreign trip and will meet tomorrow with Mikati and the chiefs of security agencies.
Commenting on the explosion MP Boutros Harb told LBCI:” The withdrawal of Hezbollah from the fighting in Syria will be the first step in the right direction.”
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam condemned on Friday the twin explosions that targeted the northern city of Tripoli and said that they are an indicator that the situation in Lebanon has reached a very dangerous level.
“The Tripoli crime is an additional indicator that the situation in Lebanon has reached a very dangerous level,” Salam said in a statement.
The PM designate called on the residents of Tripoli to “remain patient and overcome their pain in order to escape the trap that the enemies of the country set.”
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea called for forming the cabinet in order to end the current situation in Lebanon
“The only way to resolve the situation is by forming a cabinet away from political bickering… a cabinet that is based on the Baabda Declaration,” Geagea said in a statement.
“Everything else, whether condemnations or all the nonsense will not bring back to life those who died ] in the explosion or defuse the anger of people , especially that the explosions targeted people praying in mosques,” Geagea said.
“The condemnations voiced by Lebanese politicians do not do any good to the citizens or prevent any evil or provide food,” he added.
Updates
Imam of al-Salam Mosque Sheikh Bilal Baroudi told LBCI TV :
“I had issued a fatwa prohibiting young men from taking part in the conflict in Syria.” He added” :I call on the state to remove the weapons of strife from entire Lebanon as well as the rockets that targeted Qusayr, ” a possible reference to Hezbollah arms.
Al-Manar reported that the number of people wounded in Tripoli’s explosions has reached 600.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.