Lebanon town demands trial over "Syrian-regime orchestrated" massacre

Tripoli’s municipal council on Friday demanded that the Lebanese government continue the trial of two Syrian officers over the 2013 bombings, which targeted two mosques in the northern city.  

The bombings killed over forty people and injured hundreds of others.

"Out of concern and defence of the rights of our people in Tripoli, the municipal council in Tripoli advises relevant authorities in the Lebanese government to take necessary measures to complete the trial, to consider the [victims] of this crime martyrs of war, and to continue treating the wounded at the expense of the state," a statement said.

Earlier this month Lebanon's military tribunal officially accused Syrian regime officers of involvement in the 2013 twin bombings that targeted mosques during crowded Friday prayers, in the Sunni-majority city of Tripoli, North Lebanon.

Judge Alaa Khatib of the tribunal named Syrian intelligence officers Mohammad Ali Ali from the notorious Palestine Branch and Nasser Joubeen from the Political Security Directorate in a 44-page indictment.

Residents of Tripoli have long accused Syrian intelligence of orchestrating the bombings of mosques in the city.  

On Friday the northern city witnessed a protest demanding the expulsion of Syria’s ambassador in Lebanon, Ali Abdel Karim Ali.

"This crime is not only against Sunnis...it is a crime against Muslims, Christians and humanity," said Khaled Daher, an MP for the Future Movement, allied to former Lebanese President Saad Hariri.

Daher called on Lebanese to boycott the Syrian regime and its supporters as the Syrian regime have committed "mass atrocities" and demanded they must be politically isolated by Lebanon.