More on the racist mentality prevailing among Middle East Arabs, where even Muslim extremist actions are labeled Jewish plots:
Beirut says Israel behind churches, mosque attacks
BEIRUT, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said on Saturday pro-Israeli agents were behind recent attacks on two churches and a mosque.
"Only agents who aim to serve Israel can think of such actions. They will not escape justice for long," Lahoud said in a statement after a suspected arson attack on a mosque on Friday night which followed attacks on two churches last week.
Authorities in Lebanon, which emerged in 1990 from 15 years of civil war pitting Muslims against Christians, are sensitive to incidents of sectarian violence. But Lahoud said the attacks would not upset the country's delicate sectarian balance.
"These incidents do not affect national stability. Lebanon has bypassed the worrisome stage," he said.
He issued the statement shortly after prosecutors started investigating the attack on a mosque in the northern town of Batroun for possible arson.
"We consider this a criminal investigation," Raymond Oueidan, prosecutor general for north Lebanon, told reporters.
Batroun's mufti, Sheikh Taha al-Sabongi, said the fire was deliberate and "sectarian insults" were sprayed on the walls of the mosque.
Last week bombs slightly damaged a church in the northern city of Tripoli and another in the southern city of Tyre.
Lebanon witnessed a series of attacks on churches in 1999 in which one person died. Several people were arrested and authorities said Sunni Muslim extremists were responsible.
The government has in the past blamed some disturbances on Israel without producing evidence.
10:02 10-20-01
N.B. The racist Lebanese President's name is "Emile." |
