Twin blasts rock Tyre, motive still uncertain

Two near-simultaneous explosions rocked the city of Tyre on Wednesday at dawn.               

The first blast targeted a hotel and a nightclub; five minutes later, another one ripped through a liquor store, resulting in significant material damage and no casualties were reported. It was reported that a large blast, heard around 5 a.m., targeted Queen Elissa Hotel which includes a nightclub frequented by U.N. peacekeepers.                 

Another blast ripped through a liquor store which is located near the entrance to the city. The blast destroyed part of the store and inflicted damage on the neighboring buildings.     

The only casualties were UNIFL vehicles and other nearby parked cars. Glass and windows of surrounding shops and buildings were also shattered.         

Once the two blasts occurred, security forces cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the incident to determine the perpetrators while a  team of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) arrived to survey to the scene.      

Well-informed security sources told LBCI that one of those suspected of planting the two bombs is being pursued by the security forces. The sources added that the perpetrators are believed to be acting as individuals rather than members of a certain group.      

Further information provided by the sources hinted at two possible scenarios: either the purpose behind the twin blasts is to terrorize stores selling alcohol or simply spread a general sense of fear in people’s minds. An ISF military expert rushed to the scene of the blast and estimated some 3 kg of explosives were used in the blast targeting the hotel, while 1 kg was used to bomb the liquor store owned by Youssef Ktoura.    

The international forces issued a memorandum, urging the U.N. peacekeepers not to leave their residences, but soon went back on their decision after it appeared that the blast did not target the UNIFIL.               

In this context, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel confirmed that both blasts are linked to liquor trade, denying that they are security related incidents.           

Speaking on Voice of Lebanon, Charbel urged the people not to link the blasts to attacks against UNIFIL.        

There have been several attacks against U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon in the past years, most recently in July, when a roadside bomb blew up next to a U.N. convoy carrying French peacekeepers. That attack in south Lebanon wounding at least five peacekeepers.