Plumbly Calls for Self-Restraint, Cooperation with Security Forces

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly called on Monday on the Lebanese to unite, exercise self-restraint and cooperate with the security forces to confront the challenges.

“I am confident that Lebanon can achieve that,” Plumbly said after talks with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail.

The U.N. official offered his condolences over the twin bombing attacks that rocked the northern city of Tripoli, calling for the arrest of those who are responsible for them.

He urged the Lebanese to prevent the negative impact of the Syrian conflict on the country.

“This has been the message of the U.N. Security Council almost since the beginning of the crisis and it has become even more important recently with the recurring incidents in Syria,” Plumbly added.

Lebanon is officially neutral in Syria's conflict, but the country is deeply divided.

Powerful car bombs exploded outside two Sunni mosques in Tripoli on Friday afternoon.

The first bomb struck in the city center at the al-Salam mosque as worshipers were still inside.

The second explosion struck just minutes later outside al-Taqwa mosque, about two kilometers away, near the port.

Caretaker premier Najib Miqati announced that the explosions killed 35 people and wounded 900 others, including 110 in a critical condition.