Tripoli residents took to the streets after Friday prayers to demand the Lebanese government cut ties with Damascus over its alleged involvement in the 2013 mosque bombings in the northern city.
The rally took place in the city’s main square at the request of Salafist group the Muslim Scholars Committee, resigned Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi and MP Khaled Daher.
“Now what is needed is for all Lebanese to act, as this is a crime against both Muslims and Christians. This demonstration will continue escalating,” Daher told MTV at the protest.
Protesters called on the government to expel Syria’s Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali and for the dissolution of pro-Syrian parties, specifically the Arab Democratic Party and the Islamic Unity Movement.
The demonstration comes a week after a Lebanese court accused Syria of being involved in the Al-Salam and Al-Taqwa mosque bombings, which killed more than 40 people and wounded hundreds of others.
The attack took place on Aug. 23, 2013, when two car bombs detonated almost simultaneously outside the mosques as worshipers left following Friday prayers. It is considered to be one of Lebanon’s deadliest attacks in two decades.
Last week, Rifi said there was “great suspicion” over the ADP’s involvement in the mosque attacks.
Protesters Friday called on Damascus to hand over two officers indicted over the bombings.
“For the first time in Lebanese history, Syrians and their agents are being tried for their crimes. You saw [former Information Minister] Michel Samaha, and now we want these men to be sentenced,” Daher said.
“Supporting the Syrian regime also means you support the killing of Lebanese citizens, the implanting of terrorism in the city of Tripoli, the destruction of the Lebanese economy and the attempt to morph Lebanon into the Syrian and Iranian regimes’ backyard,” he added.
Sunni preacher Sheikh Salem al-Rifai called on politicians to boycott the Syrian ambassador in case the Lebanese government fails to formally expel him.
“Whoever chooses not to cut ties with the Syrian ambassador will be seen as an accomplice to the criminal Syrian regime and its terrorists,” Rifai said.
The Lebanese Army began deploying heavily across Tripoli late-Thursday in preparation for the demonstration.
