Lebanon declares Friday national mourning day

Lebanese Outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday declared tomorrow a day of mourning for the victims of the explosion in the southern suburb of the capital city. In a statement, Mikati called for a meeting by the Higher National Defense Council to discuss the latest security situation in the country, condemning the explosion which led to the loss of 14 lives and scores of injured. The terrorist attack that rocked the southern suburb has hurt all Lebanese, Mikati said, pointing out that the incident should be perceived as a motivation for all Lebanese to consolidate national unity and foil the hostile plots of Lebanon's enemies. The explosion occurred earlier today on the main road between Al-Rwais and Bir Al-Abed neighborhoods of the southern suburb of Beirut as a result of a car bomb, causing 120 casualties and large property damages. Over 50 people were wounded on July 9 after a car bomb exploded in the Bir Al-Abed neighborhood, in an incident widely linked to the crisis in neighboring Syria.