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Lebanon blast: Car bombing in Beirut kills eight | Lebanon blast: Car bombing in Beirut kills eight |
(35 minutes later) | |
A huge car bomb has killed at least eight people and injured 78 in Beirut, Lebanese state media report. | A huge car bomb has killed at least eight people and injured 78 in Beirut, Lebanese state media report. |
The explosion occurred in Sassine Square, a busy part of the mainly Christian district of Ashrafiya in the centre of the capital. | The explosion occurred in Sassine Square, a busy part of the mainly Christian district of Ashrafiya in the centre of the capital. |
Ambulances have been seen rushing to square. Witnesses say the blast was heard several kilometres away. | Ambulances have been seen rushing to square. Witnesses say the blast was heard several kilometres away. |
The intended target is unclear. Tensions in Lebanon have been rising as a result of the conflict in Syria. | The intended target is unclear. Tensions in Lebanon have been rising as a result of the conflict in Syria. |
No group has said it carried out Friday's attack - the first major bombing in Beirut since 2008. | |
Sassine Square is in the heart of east Beirut's Ashrafiya district. It is a trendy area of shops and cafes, close to the popular ABC shopping mall. | |
The American University of Science and Technology is just down the road and a number of Lebanon's major banks have offices there. It is a predominately Christian area, but a whole spectrum of Lebanese visit Sassine to drink coffee in the pavement cafes, people-watch at ABC and eat at the local fast-food restaurants. | |
On a Friday afternoon, it is likely to have been full of cars and people. Ashrafiya is not an area prone to flare-ups of violence or political tension, although the offices of the March 14 opposition alliance and Christian Kataeb (Phalange) party are close by. | |
This car-bomb attack, targeting a normally peaceful square in broad daylight, is bound to spread fear of a return to violence after four years of relative calm. | |
The attack took place during rush hour, at a time when many parents were picking up children from school. | |
Cars were set on fire and TV footage showed considerable damage to buildings. | |
The explosion occurred about 200m (650ft) from the headquarters of the Kataeb, better known as the Phalange, a Maronite Christian group. | |
The general secretariat of the Western-backed 14 March coalition of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is also based there. | The general secretariat of the Western-backed 14 March coalition of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is also based there. |
An MP from the alliance, Michel Pharaon, told al-Jazeera TV: "I think Ashrafiya is a target, and 14 March is a target. This region is symbolic because it is in the heart of the capital and it is a Christian neighbourhood." | |
Nearby hospitals are calling for people to donate blood to help treat the wounded. | |
Are you in Beirut? Did you see what happened? Please share your experiences with us. | Are you in Beirut? Did you see what happened? Please share your experiences with us. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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