Local Leaders Deplore Hermel Blast, Call for Solidarity with Army, Fighting Terrorism

Several local leaders and politicians on Saturday were quick to condemn the latest explosion in the Bekaa town of Hermel, soon after a suicide attack claimed the life of several troops and civilians at an army checkpoint in al-Assi bridge area in the village.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam deplored the “terrorist” attacks, considering that targeting the military institution is an act against a cornerstone in the country.

"We call on Lebanese to unite against terrorism in all its forms and to block the road in front of plans that aim at harming Lebanon, its institutions and its people,” Salam said in a released statement.

"The army and the security forces were and will always be the protectors of the country.”

He offered his condolences to the military institution and to Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji, adding that Saturday's “martyrs are a symbol of Lebanon's pride, prestige and sovereignty.”

Former PM Saad Hariri also contacted Qahwaji to offer his condolences over the death of several troops in the blast.

“We announce our full solidarity with the military institution and security forces in their mission to preserve stability and security in the country,” Hariri said in a released statement.

Ex-premier Najib Miqati “strongly deplored” the attack, lamenting that the army always “pays the price in Lebanon.”

Meanwhile, Industry Minister Hussein al-Hajj Hassan considered that despite the prevailing consensual atmosphere and the agreement reached on facing terrorism following the cabinet's formation, several “justifications were made following the Bir Hassan explosions (in southern Beirut) for political reasons and gains.”

"If there is in fact an agreement on fighting terrorism, terrorists' acts should not be justified,” he stated.

The Hizbullah minister said there are “political, geographical and ideological spheres that embrace terrorism.”

"Terrorists should know that they have no place among us,” he said, calling for fighting all forms of terrorism.

AMAL Movement stated that Saturday's blast comes as the army has exposed terrorist and criminal schemes targeting different regions in the country.

"The terrorist war has become exposed and uncovered in Lebanon,” a statement released by the party said.

It added: “National duty calls on everyone, especially the cabinet, to stand beside the military institution and support it with all means because it is the shield protecting Lebanon from ongoing terrorist plans.”

Labor Minister Sejaan Qazzi condemned “the Takfiri terrorism that is killing innocents and inciting sedition in the country.”

He also noted that the ministerial committee tasked with drafting the new cabinet's policy statement agreed on giving “an utmost attention to combating terrorism.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Roni Araiji expressed that “an attack against the military institution is an attack on Lebanon and an attempt to harm the country and its civilized character.”

"The army was and will always be the shield against terrorism and terrorists,” he said.