An official with the pro-Syrian Arab Democratic Party who was also the father of one of the suspects in August's twin bombings of Al-Taqwa and Al-Salam mosques in Tripoli was killed by unknown assailants in the northern city Thursday, security sources said.
Masked gunmen on a small motorcycle shot to death Abdel-Rahman Diab as he drove his Chevy along the coastal Mina highway at dawn, according to the sources.
Diab died instantly from 12 bullets that pierced his chest, head and neck, the sources told The Daily Star. His bullet-riddled body was taken to Tripoli’s Islamic Hospital.
As the news of his death spread across Jabal Mohsen, ADP fighters began sniping at the rival neighborhoods of Mallouleh and Mankoubin.
Five people were wounded by sniper fire, the sources said. They were also taken to the Islamic Hospital.
The Lebanese Army immediately closed the road that was targeted by sniper fire.
Diab is the father of Youssef Diab, a suspect in the Tripoli twin bombings who was arrested in October.
At least 47 people were killed and more than 300 wounded in the Aug. 23 blasts.
Two other bombing suspects - identified as Anis Hamzeh and Hasan Jaafar - were also detained.
Diab reportedly confessed to driving a rigged car to Al-Salam mosque and detonating it while another member of the Alawite ADP, Ahmad Merhi, allegedly drove the other car and detonated it at Al-Taqwa mosque.
