NNA - There is no substitute to the state which we continue to uphold, caretaker PM Najib Mikati told interlocutors coming to discuss yesterday's twin-bombings at his Tripoli home today.


Caretaker minister of the Interior Marwan Charbel, Two caretaker Cabinet ministers, Chief of Intelligence in North Lebanon Gen. Amer Hassan, Judge Saqr Saqr, Prosecutor-General for Appeal Samir Hammoud and top Internal Security brass were at her meeting.



Mikati urged the people of Tripoli to hold steadfastly together in their rejection of so-called "auto-defense". He reminded hospitals to treat all 900 casualties of the bombings for free.



He disclosed the arrest of one religious cleric suspected of complicity in the bombings albeit; he indicated there is no conclusive evidence as yet. Security of the city of Tripoli is far more important than media scoop, Mikati concluded.


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