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Lebanon ministers vow justice after 'monstrous' Tripoli attack

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s interior minister Sunday denounced the “monstrous” twin suicide attack that targeted a Tripoli cafe the day before, while the justice minister vowed to punish those behind the twin bombings that killed nine and wounded more than 30.

Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk said that Saturday’s attack was “a monstrous assault on [both] the residents of Jabal Mohsen and all the Lebanese.”

Machnouk said that the Lebanese would “thwart these kinds of assaults through unity and solidarity.”

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi who is a native of the northern city said that everyone who either planned or participated in the “unacceptable and condemned” act would be pursued by the full force of the law.

In a statement released by his news office Saturday evening, the justice minister said that he would call on the Cabinet to refer the case to the Judicial Council along with other terrorist attacks so that “those responsible will be pursued and tried by the judiciary [before] being served a fair punishment,” he said.

Saturday’s attack marks the first serious breach to a security plan implemented in 2014 that ended years of clashes in Tripoli between the mostly Alawite neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen and the mostly Sunni Bab al-Tabbaneh.

Recurring violence in Tripoli took on an increasingly sectarian nature with the beginning of the war in Syria. Most residents of Jabal Mohsen back President Bashar Assad, while Bab al-Tabbaneh’s residents largely support the rebels fighting to overthrow him.

Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian called on Lebanese to stand beside the Army and security forces who are “carrying out their national duty by preserving stability and security across the country.”

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Condemnations of n. Lebanon attack pour in

BEIRUT: Hezbollah joined the Future Movement and others in condemning the suicide attack Saturday evening on a café in the Tripoli neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen which claimed the lives of nine people and wounded more than 30.

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri strongly condemned the terrorist “crime” saying it aims at causing confusion, fueling discord and destabilizing Tripoli, after the success of the Lebanese Army and security forces in stopping the cycle of violence in the northern city, confronting terrorist organizations, and reinforcing security.

Saturday’s explosion is the first serious breach to a security plan implemented in 2014 that ended years of clashes in Tripoli between the mostly Alawite neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen and the mostly Sunni Bab al-Tabbaneh.

Recurring violence in Tripoli took on an increasingly sectarian nature with the beginning of the civil war in Syria. Jabal Mohsen is affiliated with President Bashar Assad, while Bab al-Tabbaneh’s residents largely support the Syrian uprising.

“This heinous terrorist crime requires concerted efforts from all Lebanese, who should strongly support the Lebanese Army and the security forces in taking the required measures to preserve security, arrest the perpetrators and all those behind them and bring them to justice,” Hariri said.

Hezbollah, for its part, condemned the “horrific crime” that targeted Jabal Mohsen, saying “Takfiri” groups were the source of all evil.

“Takfiri ideology targets all of us indiscriminately,” a statement by the party said. Hezbollah noted that the attack on the café denoted that “takfiri” groups were “bothered” by the ongoing dialogue between the various components of the Lebanese political scene, namely the party’s talks with the Future Movement.

“Takfiri terrorists are irritated by the commitment of the Lebanese to national stances and social cohesion, in to the atmosphere of entente and dialogue going on at the domestic level,” Hezbollah said.

The party called on all Lebanese groups to “alienate” terrorist groups that constitute a threat to Lebanon and its Muslim community.

Hezbollah called on the Lebanese to throw their weight behind the Lebanese Army and security agencies, saying all means should be employed to eradicate terrorism.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam also called on the Lebanese to support the Army and security forces against terrorism. He said the attack constituted a new challenge to security forces that had restored peace and stability in Tripoli.

“We tell those sick minds that this crime will not terrorize the Lebanese or the Tripolitans and will not weaken the state’s determination to fight terrorism and terrorists,” Salam said. “Our Army and security forces are on high alert and will continue implementing the security plan and will track down all those looking to harm Lebanon and the Lebanese.”

Salam called on the residents of Tripoli from all confessions and sects to support security forces and thwart attempts to sow strife among them.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt for his part said the terrorist threat was looming over Lebanon, adding that the Lebanese Army was fully capable of safeguarding the country.

Jumblatt called on the residents of Tripoli to “stand united” against terrorism.

You’re Invited: The 2015 State of the Union Social

On Tuesday, January 20, President Obama will deliver his sixth State of the Union address from the Capitol -- and right now, you have the chance to participate live from the White House.

Today, we're announcing the White House's fourth-annual State of the Union Social -- a chance for our social media followers to join in-person events, engage with administration officials, and share their experience with their friends.

Selected participants will be invited to join us in watching the President’s State of the Union address live from the White House and join a conversation afterwards.

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BEIRUT: Reform and Change bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan visited the residence of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Maarab as part of talks paving the way for an impending meeting between the latter and his rival Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, the National News Agency reported.

The two hour meeting which discussed the upcoming meeting between the two Maronite leaders lasted for two hours and was attended by Geagea’s political advisor Melhem Riachi, the state-run NNA added without elaboration.

Kanaan of Aoun’s parliamentary bloc and Riachi have joined forces to schedule a meeting between Geagea and Aoun - both of whom are vying for the presidency- in a bid to end the presidential impasse, now in its eighth month.

Geagea is the March 14 coalition's candidate for president, while the rival March 8 bloc is supporting Aoun's candidacy. Neither of them is thought to be able to garner a majority in Parliament, though a boycott by Aoun and his allies in Hezbollah have blocked all presidential elections sessions except the first.

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