- Reaction score
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http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/03/19/lebanon050319.html
Lebanese president to stay home after bomb attack
Last Updated Sat, 19 Mar 2005 16:58:23 EST
CBC News
BEIRUT
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has decided to miss a conference on Monday after a bomb exploded in Beirut early Saturday.
Lahoud will not attend the Arab summit in Algeria on Monday, instead staying home to deal with the fears unleashed by the bomb.
The Lebanese army has also adopted tougher security measures against potential attacks.
The bomb injured nine people in the Christian suburb of New Jdeideh and wrecked an eight-story apartment building when it exploded shortly after midnight. No one has claimed responsibility.
Early Saturday, police were controlling access to the site as residents cleared up the rubble from damaged buildings nearby.
The explosion has revived fears that Lebanon will slip back into civil war once Syrian forces pull out.
"This has been the message to the Lebanese people for a while, to sow fear and terror among Lebanese citizens," Christian opposition member Pierre Gemayel told Al-Jazeera satellite television.
He said the message is "if there is a Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, look what Lebanon will face."
Syria originally sent 14,000 soldiers to Lebanon years ago to help preserve calm in the war-torn country, which was wracked by a civil war from 1975 to 1990.
But many Lebanese resent the Syrian presence â “ although others welcome it â “ and under pressure from demonstrations and the U.S. and Europe, Syria has begun to pull back.
Many Christians have demonstrated against Syria, which has backed militant Muslim groups.
Lebanon has been in political turmoil since the Feb. 14 assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri.
Syria has denied accusations that it was behind the explosion that destroyed Hariri's motorcade, but the attack set off the demonstrations that have led to the current political crisis in the country.
Lebanese president to stay home after bomb attack
Last Updated Sat, 19 Mar 2005 16:58:23 EST
CBC News
BEIRUT
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has decided to miss a conference on Monday after a bomb exploded in Beirut early Saturday.
Lahoud will not attend the Arab summit in Algeria on Monday, instead staying home to deal with the fears unleashed by the bomb.
The Lebanese army has also adopted tougher security measures against potential attacks.
The bomb injured nine people in the Christian suburb of New Jdeideh and wrecked an eight-story apartment building when it exploded shortly after midnight. No one has claimed responsibility.
Early Saturday, police were controlling access to the site as residents cleared up the rubble from damaged buildings nearby.
The explosion has revived fears that Lebanon will slip back into civil war once Syrian forces pull out.
"This has been the message to the Lebanese people for a while, to sow fear and terror among Lebanese citizens," Christian opposition member Pierre Gemayel told Al-Jazeera satellite television.
He said the message is "if there is a Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, look what Lebanon will face."
Syria originally sent 14,000 soldiers to Lebanon years ago to help preserve calm in the war-torn country, which was wracked by a civil war from 1975 to 1990.
But many Lebanese resent the Syrian presence â “ although others welcome it â “ and under pressure from demonstrations and the U.S. and Europe, Syria has begun to pull back.
Many Christians have demonstrated against Syria, which has backed militant Muslim groups.
Lebanon has been in political turmoil since the Feb. 14 assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri.
Syria has denied accusations that it was behind the explosion that destroyed Hariri's motorcade, but the attack set off the demonstrations that have led to the current political crisis in the country.
