Hariri orders taking necessary measures to protect security of Tripoli, uproot terrorism

BEIRUT, June 4 (MENA) - Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called on the army and Internal Security Forces (ISF) to take all necessary measures to protect the security of Tripoli and its people and uproot terrorism.

This came as the Lebanese prime minister was contacting Interior Minister Raya Al-Hassan, Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and Director-General of the Internal Security Forces Major General Imad Osman to discuss a terrorist attack by a lone gunman that targeted Tripoli last night and left four army and ISF personnel killed, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

Hariri expressed his condolences to the army command, the ISF command and the families of the victims who fell in the confrontation with the attacker last night as the country was preparing to celebrate Eidul Fitr (Lesser Bairam) which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

He commended the sacrifices of the army, the ISF and the other security institutions and the courage of the officers, soldiers and members of the national security apparatuses who are defending the security and safety of the Lebanese people.

Premier Hariri called on the people of Tripoli to support the army and the security forces, and to cooperate with the concerned agencies to uncover the hotbeds of terrorism and eradicate them.

He concluded saying that "Terrorism has struck the joy of Eid in Tripoli, but this noble city will remain stubbornly defiant in the face of extremism and those who distort the true values of Islam."