海角大神

A daily roundup of terrorism and security issues

Twin suicide bombings near an Iranian cultural center in Beirut today, the latest in a string of violent attacks linked to the war in Syria, underscore the challenge facing Lebanon鈥檚 new government.聽

The Al Qaeda-linked Abdullah al-Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility after two vehicles rigged with bombs exploded simultaneously during morning rush hour in a largely Shiite neighborhood. The blasts, which went off about 50 meters from an Iranian cultural center, killed at least five people and injured more than 100.

Blast walls were set up at the cultural center in anticipation of such an attack after the Iranian Embassy in Lebanon was targeted late last year, reports The Associated Press.

The militant group that claimed the attack said it was a response to Hezbollah and Iran's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to Reuters. Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite militant group, is backed by Iran, and the two have been critical allies of Mr. Assad.聽Al Qaeda and other militant Sunni groups in Lebanon back the Syrian rebels.

"We will continue 鈥� through the grace of God and his strength 鈥撀爐o target Iran and its party in Lebanon (Hezbollah)聽in all of their security, political and military centers to achieve our two demands: One, the exit of all fighters from the Party of Iran in Syria. Two, the release of all our prisoners from oppressive Lebanese prisons," the Abdullah al-Azzam Brigades said on Twitter.聽

Wednesday's attacks come 鈥渏ust days after Lebanon announced a new coalition government, breaking 10 months of political stalemate,鈥� reports The Los Angeles Times. The continued violence has tempered hopes that a more stable government could curb sectarian violence.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam formed a new cabinet over the weekend after almost a year of political deadlock. Mr. Salam said that today鈥檚 blasts were a message from terrorists trying to spread death and violence in his country.

"We got the message and we will respond to it with solidarity and our commitment to peace," Salam said.

Al Qaeda is not formally operating in Lebanon, writes 海角大神鈥檚 Nicholas Blanford. However, the recurring attacks claimed by affiliate groups there over the past nine months has raised concerns that the terrorist group has enough support to expand its operations to Lebanon.聽

鈥淚n 2006, [Sunni] people [in Lebanon] were not very interested in Al Qaeda, but now it has become a legend among the youth,鈥� Sheikh Omar Bakri, a Salafist cleric, told the Monitor. 鈥淚f Al Qaeda wants to move, there would be many people here who would support them.鈥�

Lebanon's proximity to Syria, and the steady stream of fighters and refugees moving across its border have led to Beirut becoming a 鈥渟econdary front of the Syrian war,鈥� The Los Angeles Times reports.