Anger Erupts as Lebanon Mourns Beirut Bomb Victims
Anger Erupts as Lebanon Mourns Beirut Bomb Victims
A day of national mourning has been held in Lebanon amid opposition protests over a massive car bombing a day earlier in Beirut.
The dead included internal intelligence chief Wissam al-Hassan, who was close to the anti-Syrian opposition.
Protesters have been blocking roads in Beirut and other cities. The opposition blames Damascus for Friday’s attack.
PM Najib Mikati offered to resign, but President Michel Suleiman has asked him to stay on in the national interest.
The announcement came after the cabinet held an emergency meeting on Saturday.
Mr Mikati said he had agreed to remain in his post, adding that Lebanon needed to remain unified, strong and secure.
Officials later said Friday’s car bombing had left three people dead - revising the death toll down from eight. More than 80 people were wounded.
The blast occurred in a busy street in Beirut’s mainly Christian district of Ashrafiya, creating widespead destruction.
No group has said it carried out the attack. Mr Hassan - described by officials as the main target - had close links with opposition leader Saad Hariri, a leading critic of the government in neighbouring Syria.