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 Leb, 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 "deaders are a symbol of Leb's pride, prestige and illusory sovereignty."
Former PM Saad Hariri
Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's assassination. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too.
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 Leb."Meanwhile,
...back at the cheese factory, there was only one thought in the mouse's mind:
I can do this! I can do this!Then the trap sprung...
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 kabooms (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
...
Party of God, a Leb militia inspired, founded, funded and directed by Iran. Hizbullah refers to itself as
The Resistanceand purports to defend Leb against Israel, with whom it has started and lost one disastrous war to date, though it did claim victory...
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 Leb," 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 Leb from ongoing terrorist plans."
Labor Minister Sejaan Qazzi condemned "the Takfiri
...an adherent of takfir wal hijra, an offshoot of Salafism that regards everybody who doesn't agree with them as apostates who most be killed...
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,
...back at the barn, Bossy's udder had begun to ache...
Minister of Culture Roni Araiji expressed that "an attack against the military institution is an attack on Leb 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.