Syria behind Tripoli bombings, suspect tells investigators: source

By Youssef Diab

The Daily Star "BEIRUT: A suspect questioned over the car bombs that struck the northern city of Tripoli last week told investigators that Syrian intelligence was behind the deadly attacks, a security source told The Daily Star Tuesday. Sheikh Ahmad Gharib, one of two suspects being interrogated over the car bombs, said he had prior knowledge of the planning for the attacks that took place outside two mosques in the city and that the explosions were “directly planned by Syrian intelligence,” the source said. The confession came after several hours of interrogation, added the source. According to the source, investigators are also hopeful further information will be revealed about the vehicles used in the attacks, including where they were rigged and the parties responsible for detonating them. At least 47 people were killed and more than 500 wounded in the twin car bomb attacks Friday outside two Sunni Muslim mosques in Tripoli. Investigations into the explosions outside the Taqwa and Salam mosques continued Tuesday under the supervision of the military justice department. On Monday, Military Prosecutor Saqr Saqr extended the detention of Gharib and Sheikh Abdel-Razzak Hammoud, another suspect in the Tripoli blasts, for two days for further interrogation......"