Hizbullah Lauds 'Security Achievements', Urges 'Highest Levels of Vigilance'

Hizbullah on Tuesday strongly deplored the suicide car bombing that rocked the Tayyouneh area at midnight, hailing “the latest security achievements” and urging the Lebanese to show vigilance.

“Terrorism struck again last night in the Tayyouneh area, targeting entire Lebanon and its security, economy, people and institutions, which resulted in the martyrdom of one person and the wounding of several others, sowing destruction in a dear Lebanese region,” the party said in a statement.

And as Hizbullah expressed its “deep distress over the continued criminal wave of terror against the country and its people,” it strongly condemned “this cowardly act and its perpetrators.”

The party extended its warmest condolences to the family of slain General Security member Abdul Karim Hodroj, saying “he sacrificed his blood to rescue civilians after intercepting the criminal terrorist.”

Hodroj had been driving home late on Monday with a colleague, Ali Jaber, when they saw a car driving against the traffic flow towards the packed Abou Assaf Cafe in Tayyouneh.

Hodroj and Jaber stopped the driver and questioned him after he said his car key was broken but the suicide bomber blew up the vehicle when Jaber went to the closest army checkpoint to report his suspicions, as Hodroj stayed to ensure the man did not get away.

As a result, Hodroj was immediately killed while around 20 other people were injured.

Hizbullah lauded “the latest achievements of the relevant military and security agencies,” urging them to “continue their blessed efforts to foil criminal conspiracies and plots against Lebanon and the Lebanese.”

The party called on the Lebanese to “show the highest levels of vigilance and responsibility to thwart the plans of those who are plotting against the country and its people.”

Later on Tuesday, a leader of the Qaida-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades warned Hizbullah that it "will not enjoy safety until security returns to the people of Syria and Lebanon."

Monday's blast was the second in four days inside Lebanon after several months of calm.

Hizbullah's strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs and the Bekaa had been earlier targeted by around 10 deadly bombings, which were claimed by Sunni extremist groups who blamed the party for sending thousands of fighters into Syria to support President Bashar Assad's regime against rebels seeking to oust him.

Y.R.