This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7609412.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Lebanon lawmaker killed in blast Lebanon lawmaker killed in blast
(31 minutes later)
A Lebanese politician from a pro-Syrian faction has been killed in a car bombing south-east of the capital, Beirut, security officials say.A Lebanese politician from a pro-Syrian faction has been killed in a car bombing south-east of the capital, Beirut, security officials say.
Saleh Aridi, of the Lebanese Democratic Party, was killed when his car exploded in the village of Baissour.Saleh Aridi, of the Lebanese Democratic Party, was killed when his car exploded in the village of Baissour.
At least three other people were injured in the blast, an army spokesman said.At least three other people were injured in the blast, an army spokesman said.
The killing comes less than a week ahead of planned reconciliation talks among rival Lebanese factions.The killing comes less than a week ahead of planned reconciliation talks among rival Lebanese factions.
Tensions between pro- and anti-Syrian factions led to serious clashes in the country in May and sparked fears of civil war.Tensions between pro- and anti-Syrian factions led to serious clashes in the country in May and sparked fears of civil war.
Both sides are now part of a national unity government and the talks next week are aimed at narrowing their differences.Both sides are now part of a national unity government and the talks next week are aimed at narrowing their differences.
Mr Aridi, who was in his 50s, was a top adviser to pro-Syrian Druze leader and government minister Talal Arslan. Mr Arslan is a rival to anti-Syrian Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.Mr Aridi, who was in his 50s, was a top adviser to pro-Syrian Druze leader and government minister Talal Arslan. Mr Arslan is a rival to anti-Syrian Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.
Nazih Abu Ibrahim, a party colleague of Mr Aridi, said the blast was "a bloody message" aimed at igniting violence between the two sides.Nazih Abu Ibrahim, a party colleague of Mr Aridi, said the blast was "a bloody message" aimed at igniting violence between the two sides.
Syria has been rocked by a string of political assassinations in recent years - but the targets have mostly been anti-Syrian lawmakers. Lebanon has been rocked by a string of political assassinations in recent years - but the targets have mostly been anti-Syrian lawmakers.