A bomb killed at least 18 people, including nine soldiers, at a bus stop in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli on Wednesday, security sources said. The bomb, which also wounded at least 45 people, was the deadliest attack on the army since its battle with Al-Qaeda-inspired militants in the north last year. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack in Lebanon's second largest city. “The army and security forces will not yield to attempts to terrorise them with attacks and crimes,” said President Michel Suleiman, who had been army chief until his election in May. Information Minister Tareq Mitri said the attack was designed to undermine a visit to Syria by Suleiman on Wednesday for the first time since his election as president. He is set to meet Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in a visit seen a sign of improved ties between Beirut and Damascus. Suleiman had led the army during 15 weeks of fighting last year with the Fatah Al-Islam fighters in a Palestinian camp near Tripoli. Saudi Arabia condemned the blast and offered condolences to the victims' families. An official source told SPA that the terrorist act was aimed at destabilizing Lebanon as its people were trying to strengthen the pillars of national unity.
