Lebanese Ministry of Information
President Michel Aoun yesterday condemned a recent terror attack in Burkina Faso that left 18 dead, including 3 Lebanese nationals, a statement Aounds press office said.
In the statement, Aoun pledged to take care of the families and provide support to citizens who were injured and affected by the attack through the Lebanese Consulate in Burkina Faso aswell as in coordination with the country’s govenrment.
“President Aoun condemned this terrorist attack targeting innocent people, [saying] that this criminal act should unite efforts to combat terrorism and prevent its [expansion],” the statement read.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri also condemned the attack in a statement from the office of parliament
“We receive the most outrageous reports of terrorist crimes around the world, one of which focused on Burkina Faso and targeted innocent people who were living their normal lives,” Berri was quoted as saying in the statement.
Three Lebanese nationals, including a pregnant woman, were among 18 killed in a terrorist attack on a Turkish restaurant in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou.
A statement from the Lebanese Foreign Ministry Monday identified the Lebanese victims as Ahmad al-Bali, Mohsen Fneish and his wife who was pregnant at the time but was not named in the statement. It added that they were killed in the crossfire between security forces and the terrorists who had attacked the restaurant. At least eight foreigners of multiple nationalities were among the deceased.
“I express my deep sorrow and condolences to all nationalities [affected], especially those [people] of Lebanese origin who have carried their dreams and hopes [overseas] from the south and north Lebanon in search of jobs and a decent life,” Berri added in Tuesday’s statement.
“Since the dawn of history, the Lebanese people have paid with their lives for the adventures of discovering the world, doing decent work, expanding trade routes and spreading the language,” he said.
“We call for and continue to declare a comprehensive global war against terrorism and the establishment of an international administration and operating room under the auspices of the United Nations that will close the doors and windows to the terrorist movements and drain its resources,” he said.
Prime Minister Saad Hariri denounced the attack in a tweet late Monday evening, saying that “we condemn the terrorist attack on Burkina Faso and [send] our condolences to Lebanon’s fallen martyrs.”
Hariri ordered the head of the Higher Relief Committee Gen. Mohammad Kheir to coordinate with his counterparts in Burkina Faso and offered them any resources they might require to help the affected Lebanese nationals.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place Sunday evening. However, Burkina Faso’s Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou said that it was “a terrorist attack.”
