International Community Reacts To Beirut Bombing
In the wake of the car bombing in southern Beirut on July 9, international actors expressed their commitment to Lebanon’s security and stability.
A few hours after the explosion in Beir el-Abed, in Beirut's southern suburbs, a number of international actors issued statements condemning it. Israel announced that it was not involved and set the explosion within the context of the sectarian conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the region. Paris condemned the bombing and confirmed its commitment to the security and stability of Lebanon.
In a statement by US Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly, Washington condemned the bombing and all forms of violence in Lebanon and called on the government to conduct a thorough investigation. Connelly confirmed her country's commitment to a stable Lebanon.
These responses offered some sort of relief to Beirut, given that they reflect a continued international commitment to Lebanon's stability and security. It also became clear that what happened was not part of an international or regional plan involving repercussions for Lebanon in response to Hezbollah's intervention in the fighting in Syria.
According to diplomatic sources who spoke with Al-Monitor, Beirut received guarantees, via diplomatic channels, from Washington in June that it had warned the Syrian opposition not to respond to the battle for Qusair with operations in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah. Washington informed states supporting the Syrian opposition of the need to respect Lebanon's security.
