Asir Warns Christians of Blasts, Blames Tripoli Bombings on Syria, Allies
Fugitive Islamist cleric Ahmed al-Asir on Tuesday warned Christians that bombings might target their areas, citing Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's latest speech, in which he said that Takfiris might target any Lebanese region with the aim of inciting strife.
In a new audio recording uploaded to the Internet, Asir extended condolences to “our people in Tripoli, (Syria's) Ghouta and Egypt,” in reference to the twin bombings that left 45 people dead and more than 500 injured in the northern city and the alleged chemical attack near Damascus.
"Every prudent person has become deeply convinced that the Iranian-Syrian camp and their tools in the region are behind this criminal act (in Tripoli) and at least they are the prime suspects,” Asir, on the run since the deadly Abra battle, added.
“This camp is the prime suspect in this crime, whether it was executed by (Hizbullah), the Syrian Social (National Party), the Baath (Party) or the likes of (jailed ex-minister Michel) Samaha,” Asir went on to say.
“It is important not to cover up the truth as some have tried to do thinking that they would be protecting Lebanon from strife,” he added.
Asir stressed that no one can convince Tripoli's residents that Nasrallah's speech had nothing to do with the deadly bombings, noting that attacks cannot put an end to their support for the Syrian uprising.
The fugitive cleric said Nasrallah “must be held fully responsible for what happened in Lebanon and what is happening at the moment, whether against his sect or against the other sects.”
"I tell our Christian partners to be very cautious because (bomb attacks) in the vein of of what happened in Tripoli and Dahieh might target their streets so that Nasrallah can prove his words that no city or sect will remain safe and that the Lebanese must defend themselves against Takfiris," Asir added.
Sheikh Ahmed al-Gharib -- a suspect who has been arrested in connection with the Tripoli blasts and a member of a pro-Syria Islamist group -- has confessed to his prior knowledge of the bombings and to Syria's involvement in the attacks, according to a report published in al-Joumhouria newspaper on Tuesday.
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