The Army Command explained on Monday the circumstances of the 2 suicide attacks that targeted a Lebanese Armed Forces checkpoint in the Majdelyoun-Sidon region on Sunday overnight.
The Army Command noted that around 9 pm, 3 persons passed by the army checkpoint in Al-Awali region.
As soon as an LAF soldier stopped them to check their identities, one of them, whose identity remains unknown, rushed towards the soldier with a grenade in his hand.
Immediately, the LAF soldier opened fire leading to the explosion of the grenade and the death of the person carrying it.
The Army Command added that 2 LAF soldiers at the checkpoint were injured, and the 2 other persons escaped to an unknown destination.
The Command added that investigations are underway to reveal whether the 2 other persons are related to the second attack in Majdelyoun.
The Army Command also mentioned that at around 9:45 pm, LAF soldiers set another checkpoint at the Majdelyoun-Bkosta junction.
Upon inspecting a grey Envoy jeep, one of the persons in the vehicle, identified as Bahaa Eddine Mohammad Al-Sayed (Palestinian) when off the car, and detonated a hand grenade across Sergeant Samer Rizk, killing himself and the said LAF Sergeant.
The incident also lead to the death of the two other persons who were in the vehicle, and they were identified as Mohammad Jamil Zarif, and Ibrahim Ibrahim El-Mir; both Lebanese.
While inspecting the mentioned car, LAF soldiers found:
-A suicide belt ready to be detonated composed of 6 pieces of explosives surrounded by iron globes, and connected to a detonator and a hand grenade fuse.
-3 hand grenades
The city of Sidon is witnessing a state of cautious calm following the attack across AL-Awali Bridge which left LAF Sergeant Samer Rizk killed, 2 other soldiers injured, and citizens Hicham Iskandarani and Ali Yousef injured.
As for the armed men, they were identified as Mohammad Zarif from Sidon, Bahaa Eddine Mohammad Al-Sayed (a Palestinian from the Ain el-Helweh refugee camp), Ibrahim Ibrahim El-Mir, a forth national whose identity remains unidentified.
State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr tasked the Military Police, and the Lebanese Armed Forces Intelligence Bureau as well as forensic evidence teams with carrying out their investigations.
It is worth noting that LAF soldiers have set various checkpoints in the presviously mentioned region, and are inspecting all cars passing by in order to maintain security and stability.
Earlier, the Governor of the South Nicolas Abou Daher, held an exceptional meeting for the sub-security council to discuss with officials the attack that targeted LAF soldiers.
Sergeant Samer Rizk:
The Lebanese Armed Forces Command mourned on Monday Sergeant Samer Rizk who fell in martyr on December 15, 2013 while carrying out his duties in the southern city of Sidon.
Reactions:
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman denounced on Monday the “criminal terrorist attack” that targeted two Lebanese Armed Forces checkpoints in Majdelyoun and across the Al-Awali Bridge, leaving one soldier killed and 2 other injured.
President Sleiman also discussed the mentioned incidents with various Lebanese officials, urging all factions to take measures to fight terrorism in Lebanon and support LAF troops.
Sleiman also discussed with officials from the Defense Ministry and the Army Command the latest developments related to the situation at the Lebanese borders.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri condemned the attacks on LAF checkpoints, pointing out that "supporting LAF troops is a duty."
In the same regard, Deputy Bahia Hariri said on Monday the attack against Lebanese Armed Forces targets Sidon and comes in a series of challenging obstacles that the northern city has passed through.
Hariri called for investigating the incidents, and asked schools in Sidon to suspend classes on Tuesday for 10 minutes.
To watch Bassam Abou Zeid's report, please click on the VIDEO above