DNA Tests Fail to Reveal Identity of Hermel Suicide Bomber

The findings of a DNA test on a resident of the southern city of Sidon did not match those of the human remains at the bombing in the Bekaa town of al-Hermel, reported the National News Agency on Saturday.

The tests were performed on the mother of Hussien Ghandour did not match those of the remains.

Ghandour was suspected of being the Hermel suicide bomber.

The army later on Saturday confirmed the reports, saying that investigations revealed that Hassan Abdul Nasser Ghandour is not connected to the Hermel blast.

The preliminary investigations in the matter were conducted under the supervision of State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr, said NNA on Friday.

It had reported that human remains belonging to the driver of the booby-trapped car were also found and a sketch has been created and distributed to media outlets in a bid to identify him.

It said it is still unclear whether the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber or that the car was blown up without the driver's knowledge.

“DNA tests showed that one person was killed during the Hermel blast and that all the human remains at the scene belonged to the suicide bomber and the victim Hussein Omar,” it added.

On Thursday morning, a likely suicide bombing rocked the town of Hermel in the Bekaa, a Hizbullah stronghold, killing the bomber and Omar.