SCHOOLS and universities across Lebanon were shut yesterday as the country mourned the victims of twin suicide bombings that struck a crowded suburb in Beirut.
The bombings killed at least 43 people and wounded more than 200 others. It was one of the bloodiest attacks in recent years, and shattered a relative calm that has held despite the civil war raging in Syria.
The attacks, in the mostly Shi’ite neighbourhood of Burj al-Barajneh, were claimed by Islamic State.
The heavily populated district is part of the southern Beirut suburb where the militant Hezbollah group holds sway.
Prime minister Tammam Salam chaired a security meeting to discuss the bombings yesterday. Forensic experts are examining the scene of the blasts.
Nazmiyeh Tarif, whose cousin Adel Termos died in the second bombing, said: “They are people without conscience. May they get worse than what happened to us.”
Mr Termos threw himself at the second suicide bomber after he spotted him approaching crowds gathered outside a mosque targeted by the first bomber, local media reported.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here