Lebanese Premier Salam says bombing intended to undermine economy

BEIRUT, June 13 (KUNA) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam on Monday condemned the bombing that targeted the Lebanese Blom Bank on Sunday saying the "terrorist" action aims at undermining the national eonomy.
The official National News Agency (NNA) quoted Salam as saying "the explosion is tantamount to jeopardizing Lebanon's national security because the banking sector is a major dynamo for the national economic cycle and one of the main State foundations." He was speaking during a meeting that included Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon Riad Salameh and Chairman of the Association of Banks Joseph Tarabay. The meeting was held to examine impact of the incident on the banking sector.
NNA said the premier expressed hope security authorities would quickly identify and arrest culprits adding that the conferees expressed confidence in the Central Bank procedures for safeguarding the local financial sector.
The bomb inflicted extensive damage at offices of Blom Bank, located on the commercial Verdun Street near Hamra district.
Premier Salam ovsersees internal dialogue on financial curbs imposed by the United Dtates on bank accounts related to Hezbollah. The Central Bank and the local banks have affirmed adherence to the US sanctions. However, Hezbollah has rejected this attitude. (end) wsm.rk