BEIRUT: Lebanese security agencies thwarted a suicide attack on a bustling Beirut street and arrested the would-be bomber over the weekend, in the latest successful pre-emptive strike that dealt a severe blow to terror cells seeking to destabilize the country. The foiling of the suicide attack at the bustling Costa Coffee shop on Hamra Street sent a powerful message to terror networks that the Army and security forces have been placed on full alert to deal with any security emergency and are determined to prevent extremist groups from achieving their destructive goals.

In a swift reaction, Prime Minister Saad Hariri reassured the Lebanese public fearing suicide bombings similar to those that have happened in other countries that Lebanon’s enemies would lose and the country would prevail in the ongoing battle against terrorism as a result of national unity and cooperation between security forces.

President Michel Aoun praised the “pre-emptive operation” carried out by Army Intelligence and the Internal Security Forces’ Information Branch which, he said, saved the people at the Costa cafe from a “definite massacre.”

“The well-coordinated operation at the Costa cafe was part of the security plan being carried out by the Lebanese Army and security forces against terrorism. It is also part of the ongoing pre-emptive operations to crack down on terrorism and terror cells,” a security source told The Daily Star.

The successful operation won nationwide praise from the country’s leaders who hailed the Army and security forces for their vigilance and alertness to foil potential attacks.

In a defiant message to the would-be suicide bomber, identified as 25-year-old Lebanese national Omar Hasan Assi, and those standing with him, the Costa cafe opened for business as usual Sunday morning with a number of people sitting inside sipping coffee as if nothing had happened the previous evening.

Hariri, accompanied by Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk and Defense Minister Yaacoub Sarraf, visited the cafe Sunday night to drink coffee and water, sending a message to terror groups that Lebanon would not be an easy target. “The country is fine as long as there is unity and cohesion among the Lebanese, especially in the presence of the president and his keenness on security and the presence of the security forces in the Interior Ministry and the Defense Ministry,” Hariri told reporters after visiting the cafe.

He said security forces were doing a great job and were working hard to maintain security and shield the country from the devastating repercussions of regional turmoil, particularly the nearly 6-year-old war in Syria.

“I came here to tell the people that the fear they are trying to put in your hearts is rejected. We will lead our normal life and will continue to love life and go to cafes and restaurants as usual,” Hariri said. “We should always cooperate with the security forces and inform them about any suspicious activity and they will take care of everything.”

The Army said in a statement that Assi was wearing an 8-kilogram explosives belt with a quantity of iron ball bearings secreted inside in order to cause the largest possible number of casualties.

A Costa waiter told local media that Assi had been in the cafe for around 10 minutes before going outside to answer a phone call. “He flirted with the barista while he ordered coffee and a chocolate bar,” the waiter said.

“When he tried to go back in, he was shot in the leg and the police and Army gathered around him to detain him at the entrance of the cafe.”

An Army agent then shouted “he has an explosive belt,” and people in the cafe tried to escape, according to the waiter. A few managed to flee the scene, while the rest hid in the coffee shop’s basement, he added.

The would-be bomber first received treatment at the nearby American University of Beirut Medical Center for wounds to his head sustained during his arrest before being taken to the Military Hospital on Badaro Street where stringent security measures were taken. A military unit raided Assi’s home in the Sharhabeel area near Sidon overnight Sunday and took his two brothers, Mohammad and Farouq, in for questioning, the source said. Later Sunday, the Army said it arrested four suspects who lived near Assi’s home, also taking them for questioning. Army Intelligence seized the suspect’s laptop and cellphone and closed off the area around his residence.

Hariri said the operation that prevented Assi from blowing up his explosives belt at Costa was coordinated between Army Intelligence and the ISF’s Information Branch. “They exerted great effort and the ministers of interior and defense and I were personally following the operation moment by moment and they arrested the suicide bomber,” he said.

Hariri, however, acknowledged that Lebanon, like many other countries, faced security threats from extremist groups that are wreaking havoc in some states around the region. Asked if Lebanon had entered a new worrying phase, Hariri said: “It is not the first time that we have faced this. There is no doubt that what happened yesterday was the result of great cooperation between the security forces. During the Higher Defense Council meeting the president called for cooperation between all the security forces and a joint operations room, and today’s outcome was the result of this cooperation.”

“There is scientific and daily work and great effort from the Army Intelligence and the Information Branch. Yes, the threat exists but there are men and women working day and night to preserve security in the country.”

“I tell the Lebanese, fear only God who protects us and the country is fine. Our enemies will lose and Lebanon will prevail. The cedar will always rise high and the people will always be proud, God willing,” he added.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri also praised security forces for foiling the suicide attack. “Divine intervention and the high efficiency and professionalism from the Army and security forces led to the arrest of the terrorist on Hamra Street,” Berri was quoted as saying by visitors at his Ain al-Tineh residence. “This security performance puts Lebanon in the ranks of the world’s most important states fighting terrorism.”

The Army and security forces have been cracking down on sleeper cells as part of a comprehensive security plan.