Qaa mourns victims of suicide bombings

BEIRUT: Grieving residents of Qaa bid farewell Wednesday to the five victims of a wave of suicide bombings that struck the northeastern border town Monday morning. The collective funeral was initially scheduled for Tuesday but had to be postponed over security concerns as another round of suicide attacks rocked the village on Monday night when residents were preparing for memorial services.

The army had called on the village's residents to avoid gatherings on Tuesday and to cooperate with local authorities as soldiers expanded their search for suspected Islamist militants.

"We had postponed the funerals in order for the army to take the necessary security measures, however, we must remain alert and vigilant to thwart any future terror attacks," Qaa Mayor Bashir Matar said.

Baalbek-Hermel Governor Bashir Khodor announced on Wednesday a daily 10-hour-long curfew on Syrian refugees in Qaa and the neighboring Ras Baalbek town, prohibiting them from leaving their homes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and banned the use of motorbikes across the governorate amid security concerns that they could be used to facilitate the movement of suicide bombers.

A 72-hour curfew that entirely banned Syrian refugees from leaving their homes in the wake of Monday's attack will be, however, lifted today, Khodor said.

"The decision to implement a ban on motorbikes comes upon the request of the people of Qaa and other neighboring towns as well as to protect innocent Syrian refugees from being labeled as terrorists," Khodor said.

Businesses that request permits to use motorbikes will be exempted from the decision, Khodor said, warning that security forces will detain the owners of motorbikes who violate the decision.

At least 100 Syrians were detained Tuesday for illegal entry into the country, according to the military. The army said it carried out security raids in six areas in the Baalbek region and confiscated nine motorcycles and two vehicles. Two Lebanese were arrested with illegal weapons were also arrested.

The raids came hours after a series of explosions, including at least six suicide bombings, rocked the village of Qaa.

Qaa and the nearby Ras Baalbek are two villages with a Christian majority in the predominantly Shiite Baalbek Hermel region, where Hezbollah holds sway. The group has sent thousands of its fighters to Syria to bolster President Bashar Assad's forces against the predominantly Sunni rebels trying to topple him.

Sunni extremists have carried out several attacks in the border area since Syria's conflict began in March 2011, leading the Christians of Qaa to set up self-defense units for their village. Since mid-2014, the Lebanese army has stepped up operations and patrols in the area, leading to a drop in bombings and shelling.

Prior to the collective funeral, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged the residents of Qaa to show steadfastness and praised their bravery.

"Hold your heads high for you have protected the entire nation from a disaster," Geagea said.