Jumblat Lauds State's 'Strength,' Ability to Thwart Bombing Plans

Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat praised on Thursday the state's “strength and its ability to thwart all bombing plans.”

"The experience has proven once again that the Lebanese state, and despite all divisions and the complicated political conditions, is strong and capable of thwarting all bombing plots that aim at undermining stability and security,” Jumblat said in a released statement.

The PSP leader continued: “The state and the security bodies' high capacity has clearly shown recently that (we) can be in the same category with other advanced countries that have faced such situations.”

He saluted security bodies for their work and efforts, and reiterated his “trust in the state, its institutions, and its national role.”

He also urged “not falling into the desperation trap.”

"We should instead look forward to a hopeful, joyful and confident Lebanon as we are used during all tough stages.”

Jumblat's statement comes one day after a Saudi man blew himself up at the Hotel Duroy in the Beirut neighborhood of Raouche as security forces stormed his room, killing himself and wounding several others.

The security raid followed the arrest last Friday in a hotel in the nearby Hamra district of the capital of a Frenchman of Comoran origin on suspicion of plotting to carry out suicide bombings in Lebanon on behalf of the ISIL.

On Monday, a suicide bomber blew up a vehicle near an army checkpoint and a cafe just after midnight in the Tayyouneh area on Dahieh's peripheries. The bombing killed one person and wounded 20.

Another bombing in eastern Lebanon last week killed a police officer and wounded several others.

S.D.B.

Y.R.