Miqati Declares National Mourning Day for Dahieh Victims, Salam Urges Parties to Rise Above Disputes
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati has declared that Friday will be a day of national mourning for the victims of the blast that hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday, noting that the Higher Defense Council will convene to discuss the incident.
“Once again the hand of treachery and the flames of hatred have targeted civilians in a dear Lebanese region that has been known for its enormous steadfastness in the face of the Israeli enemy's malevolence and plots,” Miqati said in a statement.
“This blast indicates that the hand of evil is still tampering with this country and its security, safety and all assets,” Miqati warned.
He said that "the real solution does not lie in condemnations, but rather in sitting together around the dialogue table without preconditions in order to salvage the country."
The premier added that following consultations with President Michel Suleiman, it was decided to hold a meeting for the Higher Defense Council at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the presidential palace in Baabda.
According to the statement, Miqati also held contacts with caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel and the chiefs of security agencies to follow up on the repercussions of the bombing and the outcome of the ongoing investigations.
For his part, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam condemned the bomb attack as a “barbaric act,” urging the Lebanese citizens and political forces to “show solidarity and national unity to fend off those who want to tamper with the country's security.”
Salam called on all political forces to “rise above the disputes,” saying it is “the only real response to such terrorist acts.”
In an interview on LBCI television, the PM-designate said “serious efforts must be exerted to form the cabinet and we don't want a confrontational cabinet but rather a national interest cabinet.”
At least 14 people were killed and 212 others wounded in a car bombing that rocked Hizbullah's stronghold in Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday, state-run National News Agency reported.
The blast went off on the public road between Bir al-Abed and Ruwais, according to several television channels.
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