“Perhaps some are not paying much attention to the big achievement made in the Qalamoun region or Yabroud. These achievements will certainly reduce to a large extent the number of deadly cars and the devil’s suicide bombers,” Qassem told a memorial ceremony in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday.

Calling for additional vigilance against would-be suicide bombers, he said: “These are very important steps to protect Lebanon, its security, stability and independence.”

Yabroud is a strategic prize because of its proximity to the highway and the Lebanese border, across which the Syrian rebels have smuggled fighters and weapons.

Qassem called for Lebanese unity to face two dangers threatening Lebanon: one from Israel and the other from takfiri groups.

“These two dangers concern all the Lebanese and all residents in the Arab world and the Muslim world,” he said.

“Israel attacks, occupies and confiscates lands and steps up its actions in harming the Palestinians,” Qassem said. “The takfiris attack, destroy and damage life. They do not carry any project except that of killings and ending human life on Earth.”

“We have to close ranks in order to face these two dangers,” he said. “God willing, we will be victorious.”

BA/BA