Shiite Organizations, AMAL Cancel Daily Iftars over Security Fears

Shiite organizations and charities have taken the decision to cancel over security fears the daily iftars that they used to hold throughout the holy month of Ramadan, reported al-Liwaa newspaper on Saturday.

The decision was also part of judicial rulings that call for canceling gatherings, regardless of the occasion, it added.

There are fears that terrorists may infiltrate such events and blow themselves up.

Hizbullah has also taken such measures, but no official statement has been issued by the party yet to confirm it, said al-Liwaa.

The cancellations only include iftars held in Beirut, but it will go ahead in the South and eastern Bekaa region.

Al-Liwaa noted that this is the first time in several years that these organizations have canceled the iftars, adding that they were held even during the worst years of the civil war.

Later on Saturday, AMAL Movement also announced that it is canceling all iftars that were scheduled to take place in different Lebanese regions “to preserve the safety” of the attendees.

It cited the “general situation in the country” and “the recent security conditions” as causes for its decision.

A previously unknown jihadist group linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed responsibility for Wednesday's Duroy Hotel suicide attack in Beirut.

The group calling itself the state of Damascus-Qalamoun said on Thursday that two ISIL members targeted General Security agents at the hotel in Raouche.

It also vowed to carry out more attacks against Hizbullah and its agents, saying Wednesday's bombing was just the start.

Syria's civil war has spilled into Lebanon on numerous occasions and inflamed sectarian tensions. A series of car bombs have struck Shiite areas across Lebanon, killing dozens of people.

Sunni militants have claimed responsibility for the attacks to avenge Hizbullah, which has sent its fighters to Syria to help President Bashar Assad's troops in their fight against the rebels seeking to topple him.