Fresh Bombing in Christian Suburb of Beirut in Lebanon

A fresh explosion has occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning in a shopping centre in Kaslik, a Christian suburb north of Beirut, Lebanon. This is the second blast since last Saturday when 11 people were injured a similar coordinated car bombing in another Christian heartland in Beirut, Jedeydeh.

The explosion at the Alta Vista centre today has killed a Sri Lankan and an Indian, believed to be cleaners. Four other people needed hospital treatment.

Till now, no one has claimed responsibility for either blast. According to Voice of America (VOA), Lebanese Christian opposition lawmaker Samir Franjieh said the bombings were designed to sow fear and sectarian tensions. It is also a warning to those calling for neighbouring Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon.

Dating back in history, the civil war which broke out in Lebanon in the 1970’s was triggered by the tension between Christians and Muslims as they had long disputed for power and influence in the political arena. While Christians used to have the upper hand in the national assembly, the Lebanese National Movement, which was made up of Muslims who wanted a greater share of political power, fought with the Maronite Christian groups of the Lebanese Front.

Egypt, Iraq, and Libya supported Muslim factions in the civil war, while the United States and Israel backed Christian groups. The Maronite-dominated government later asked for support from Syria. Syria however alternately supported the Christian and Muslim sides during the course of the conflict.

Since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Harir in a massive explosion last month, a political crisis has been reignited. Many Lebanese blame Syria and Lebanon's pro-Syrian government for involvement. Anti-government and anti-Syrian demonstrations are sweeping across the country, and international communities, including the UN, the EU and US, have also inserted pressure on Syrian troops to withdraw from Lebanon.

Lebanese Christian opposition lawmaker Samir Franjieh said the bombings were carried out to warn the anti-Syrian demonstrators that wars will come if Syrian troops leave the country, therefore forcing the Lebanese to accept Syria’s presence.

In the midst of all the political conflicts, Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronite Church, said to AsiaNews, "We want a free, independent and sovereign Lebanon."

AsiaNews reported Nassrallah Sfeir was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Omar Karami’s envoy Minister Albert Mansour on Wednesday immediately after his 8-day visit to America, to fulfil his invitation from US President George Bush, United Nations General Secretary Kofi Annan, and UN Mideast envoy Terry Larsen.

Inspired by the meeting with US administration officials, the Patriarch intended to impress on the minister the importance of forming a government that could organise the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 31st May. He will also reiterate the need to put aside the language of violence so that everyone can work towards national reconciliation and peace in a Lebanon free of foreign interference.