Lebanon Marks 70th Anniversary of Independence

Local Editor

Lebanese leaders marked Friday the 70th anniversary of Lebanon's independence, as the caretaker defense minister warned the country was in the grip of ferocious terrorism that required exceptional measures to counter.
Topping the list of leaders were Lebanon's three heads of state - Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati - and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam.
Caretaker Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn, in a statement Friday, said exceptional measures were needed to combat what he described as the "grip of ferocious terrorism" in the country.
"The heinous crime that targeted innocent people in Bir Hasan and the previous terrorist bombings are clear evidence that Lebanon is under the grip of fierce terrorism for which we need an exceptional power to remove and prevent from penetrating our national fabric," he said.

Ghosn said "Israel" was part of the terrorism threatening the country and that " Lebanon will never be a spy den for the "Israeli" enemy, nor a haven for its agents and spies, nor an incubator for terrorists and criminals."

Source: Agencies