Washington Denounces Explosion Targeting Bank HQ in Beirut
Washington denounced on Monday the bombing that rocked the western part of the Lebanese capital late Sunday and targeted the HQ of BLOM Bank, LBCI reported on Monday.
“Washington denounces the terrorist bombing. The United States reiterates its strong commitment towards the Lebanese people's stability and security,” State Department spokesman John Kirby stated.
A bomb blast went off Sunday evening outside a branch of the BLOM Bank in Beirut's Verdun area, injuring two people.
The explosion occurred few minutes after residents sat down for iftar, the meal that breaks the daylong fast for observing Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan, when the streets in predominantly Muslim areas like Verdun are usually empty.
State-run National News Agency said the explosive device was placed under a car.
An AFP correspondent saw almost all the entire glass facade of the headquarters of BLOM BANK, one of the country's largest, blown out, with debris littering the ground.
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq told AFP a bomb containing about 3-4 kilos (6.6-8.8 pounds) of explosives had been "placed behind the back wall of BLOM BANK".
"It is clear that the bank was the target," he said.
Mashnouq gave no further details, but in comments to LBCI television channel he said the blast was "different" from other explosions that have occurred in Lebanon over the past few years.
In May, Lebanon's central bank instructed the country's banks and financial institutions to comply with a U.S. law to impose sanctions on banks that deal with Hizbullah..
Hizbullah's parliamentary bloc warned at the time that the move could push Lebanon towards bankruptcy.
Washington has labeled Hizbullah a global terrorist group since 1995, accusing it of a long list of attacks including the bombing of the US Embassy and Marine barracks in Lebanon in 1983.
Source: Naharnet
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