Lebanon: 43 confirmed dead in twin suicide bombing

Lebanon's Ministry of Health announced Friday the latest toll of Thursday's twin suicide bombing, putting the number of dead at 43 and the injured at 239.

Statements continued to pour in condemning the bombing that struck Beirut's southern suburb on Thursday night, as security services continued to search the bomb site for clues that could help them in their ongoing investigations.

Meanwhile, State Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud said the investigations confirm there were two suicide bombers, without any evidence establishing there was a third bomber, contradicting statements issued by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) late on Thursday night.

Hammoud said the first detonation was carried out using a motorcycle rigged with 7kg of explosives, while the second was carried out using a suicide belt.

A political breakthrough in lebanon could follow the bombing, as early as Friday afternoon

Military Prosecutor Judge Saqr Saqr said the Information Branch of the Internal Security Forces had on Thursday arrested a would-be bomber who was wearing a suicide belt in Tripoli, north Lebanon. Saqr said the suspect could be linked to the bombing in Burj al-Barajneh.

Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam convened an urgent session of the cabinet focusing on security, attended by the ministers of defence, health, finance, interior, and justice, in addition to army commander Jean Kahwaji and senior judges and officers.

In an noteworthy statement, the interior minister, Nohad Machnouk, said there could be a political breakthrough following the bombing, and suggested this could come as early as Friday afternoon during the scheduled parliament session.

Minister of Justice Ashraf Rifi said meanwhile that he would be referring the bombing to the Judicial Council after putting the matter to a vote in the cabinet.

The site of the bombing remains off limits to journalists and civilians pending the completion of investigations.