US condemns cafe bombing in Lebanon

The United States today condemned a suicide bombing in Lebanon that killed nine people and pledged its support for the country's security forces.
"The United States strongly condemns yesterday's suicide bombing at the Omran Cafe in the Jabal Mohsen neighbourhood of Tripoli, Lebanon," said Marie Harf, the State Department's deputy spokeswoman.
"The United States will continue its strong support for the Lebanese security forces as they protect the Lebanese people, combat violent extremists, and preserve Lebanon's stability, sovereignty, and security," she said.
The attack, which hit a Tripoli neighbourhood inhabited by members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect, was claimed by the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda.

Security sources said the bombers were Lebanese from a Sunni district of Tripoli known for its sympathies with rebels fighting to overthrow Assad.