The Army Command condemned on Saturday the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan, urging the Lebanese people to exercise restraint during this tense time.

It said in a statement: “We urge the Lebanese people to rise above their hurt and unite in order to avert the strife that was sought by the criminals.”

March 14 youth groups held Saturday an open-ended sit-in at the Martyrs Square in Downtown Beirut against the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan.

The protesters also erected tents near the Grand Serail to press the resignation of the cabinet.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani condemned on Saturday the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan, saying it is aimed at creating strife in Lebanon.

He said during a televised address: “The goals of the crime are very clear and it is well-known who will benefit from it.”

Iran on Saturday condemned a car bombing in Beirut that killed eight people, including a top Lebanese security official, blaming it on arch foe Israel.

Tehran condemned "the terrorist blast which was carried out by those who aim to create division between different Lebanese groups that never serves the interests of Lebanon," spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in a statement on the Foreign Ministry website.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi condemned on Saturday the Ashrafiyeh bombing in Beirut on Friday and the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Wissam al-Hasan, lamenting the fact that it came shortly after Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Lebanon in September.

He said in a statement: “We strongly condemn these criminal acts that remind us of days that we thought we had overcome.”

Angry youths continued on Saturday their protests against Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan's assassination on Friday by blocking roads in various regions throughout the country.

The youths had protested the murder on Friday by also blocking roads with burning tires and other barriers.

Turkish authorities have no concerns that the reconnaissance drone sent by Hizbullah into Israel's airspace early in October would trigger a war between the two countries, As Safir daily reported Saturday.

Unnamed Turkish sources said it is unlikely for similar incidents to trigger war between Israel and Lebanon because “neither Israel or Hizbullah nor any international party finds an interest in war currently. Similar incidents should be isolated in order to maintain stability.”

Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi stated that ISF Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan's assassination on Friday is a loss for Lebanon and the ISF, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.

He told the daily: “The murder will not deter us from performing our duties, regardless of the sacrifices.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati reportedly was “strongly affected” by the March 14 forces' statement that held him responsible for Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Wissam al-Hasan's assassination, said al-Akhbar newspaper on Saturday.

Informed sources told the daily that the statement prompted Miqati to inform Speaker Nabih Berri of his intention to resign, while the premier's circles questioned the March 14 forces' accusations against him.

The March 14 forces condemned on Friday the assassination of the head of the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan, holding Prime Minister Najib Miqati personally responsible for the crime.

It said in a statement after an extraordinary meeting in the wake of the assassination: “The government holds the political and moral accountability for the plan to target Lebanon's stability.”