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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Salafi ring behind U.N. bomb attack in south Lebanon |
| 2007-07-04 |
| It was reported on Tuesday that A Salafi extremist group is reportedly behind the June 24 bomb attack that killed six UNIFIL peacekeepers serving with the Spanish contingent in south Lebanon. The daily As Safir, citing European intelligence sources, said a Salafi group "implemented" the attack on the Spanish contingent of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Three Spaniards and three Colombians were killed in the car bombing which struck their personnel carrier as they patrolled the main road between the towns of Marjayoun and Khiam near the Israeli border. As Safir said the Salafi ring had infiltrated into the deep south from an area outside south of the Litani river to carry out its attack. It said, however, that the group was likely assisted by "local members during the surveillance and preparation operation" way ahead of the assault. As Safir said the report coincided with indications by Spain's Defense Minister Jose Antonio Alonzo that the attack on UNIFIL was carried out by "non-Lebanese terrorists." It quoted the European intelligence sources as saying that the Lebanese army, in collaboration with UNIFIL, thwarted, not too long ago, an attempt to attack a German warship off the Lebanese coast. Germany is the leader of the naval component of UNIFIL. The sources said that "precise monitoring" by the Lebanese army had also led to the discovery of a terrorist group that was undertaking scuba diving training with professionals. The Lebanese security sources told "As-Safir" that a coordination committee has been formed ,comprised of representatives from UNIFIL, Lebanon’s Justice dept and the Lebanese army Intelligence, as follows: 1- An assistant commander of "UNIFIL" forces, a Spanish UNIFIL officer and a team of experts in the areas of intelligence , anti –terrorism and Spanish law),A preliminary meeting has already been held few days ago by the above described committee. Al Safir reported that the European intelligence has initially assumed that Hezbollah was behind the attack. But soon after the incident the assumption was found to be incorrect , specially after Hezbollah offered to help in the investigation. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 ...especially after Hezbollah offered to help in the investigation. Now there's some help with bombing investigation. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2007-07-04 02:06 |