U.S. Condemns Haret Hreik Blast, Urges All Parties to Refrain from Retaliatory Acts
The United States has condemned the terrorist bombing that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs, reiterating its call for the implementation of Lebanon’s policy of dissociation and urging all parties to refrain from retaliation.
A statement issued by State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf on Thursday, said the U.S. condemned “in the strongest terms” the “terrorist bombing in the Haret Hreik region.”
She reiterated Washington's “support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces as legitimate government institutions that protect and serve all Lebanese.”
The statement renewed U.S. calls for the implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701, the Taef Agreement and the Baabda Declaration to ensure Lebanon’s sovereignty.
In the Declaration, which was adopted in 2012, Lebanon's rival leaders agreed to keep Lebanon away from the policy of regional and international conflicts and spare it the negative repercussions of the region's crises.
“Implementing and adhering to the letter and spirit of these resolutions and agreements is the way to support a stable, secure and free Lebanon,” Harf said.
She sent condolences to the victims of the Haret Hreik blast and their families. The bombing left several people dead and injured.
It was the fourth attack in Beirut's southern suburbs since Hizbullah announced it was fighting in Syria alongside troops loyal to President Bashar Assad against rebels seeking to topple him.
“We urge all parties to refrain from retaliatory acts that would further escalate tensions and threaten Lebanon’s stability and the lives and livelihoods of the Lebanese people,” Harf said.
“The Lebanese people must be allowed to carry on their lives free from fear of attacks,” she added.
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