BEIRUT: An assailant threw a Molotov cocktail at Sweden’s embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, causing no injuries, amid anger over recent Qur’an burnings.
A diplomatic source at the embassy said that an assailant threw a Molotov cocktail in the embassy building, giwever, it did not explode, AFP reported.
The assailant managed to run away after the attack.
Tensions have flared between Sweden and Muslim nations following several protests involving public burnings of the Holy Qur’an in Stockholm, including setting the sacred pages alight.
Multi-confessional Lebanon witnessed protests at mosques, while the head of the mighty pro-Iran Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah has demanded for the Swedish envoy to be expelled.
Lebanese security forces had bolstered security around the embassy in Beirut for fear of attacks.
Tobias Billstrom, Swedish Foreign Minister, said that it was good luck that no one was wounded in the attack and that crew were safe.
He said that the incident is currently being probed. Lebanese authorities have a responsibility under the Vienna Convention to protect diplomatic missions.
Qur’an desecrations in Sweden
In late July, two Iraqi nationals desecrated a copy of the Holay Qur’an outside the Swedish parliament in the capital city Stockholm, in an act similar to others recent weeks that had generated widespread anger and condemnation.
Salwan Najem and Salwan Momika disrespected the holy book in an unspeakable way, as they did at an earlier protest at the front of the main mosque in Stockholm in June.
They also staged a similar protest outside the embassy of Iraq in Stockholm on 20 July, where they stomped on and disrespected the holy book.
Iraqi protesters had attacked the Swedish embassy in the capital Baghdad twice, setting fire within the building on the second occasion.
