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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 officials say. A huge car bomb has killed at least eight people and injured 78 in central Beirut, Lebanese officials say.
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 a busy street in the predominantly Christian district of Ashrafiya.
Ambulances have been seen rushing to the square. Witnesses say the blast was heard several kilometres away. Witnesses say it was heard several kilometres away. It is the deadliest attack in Beirut since 2008.
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 the bombing. The intended target is unclear. Tensions in Lebanon have been rising over the conflict in Syria.
No group has said it carried out Friday's attack - the first major bombing in Beirut since 2008. Friday's attack took place near Sassine Square, at a time when many parents were picking up children from school.
There were chaotic scenes as emergency vehicles rushed to the area.
Nearby hospitals are calling for people to donate blood to help treat the wounded.
'Cowardly act'
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.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.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.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.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.
The blast caused considerable damage, setting cars ablaze and destroying the facades of nearby buildings.The blast caused considerable damage, setting cars ablaze and destroying the facades of nearby buildings.
Ronnie Chatah, who lives 500m from the site of the blast, told the BBC: "The building shook and it echoed throughout the neighbourhood."Ronnie Chatah, who lives 500m from the site of the blast, told the BBC: "The building shook and it echoed throughout the neighbourhood."
The bombing occurred close to the headquarters of the Kataeb, better known as the Phalange, a Maronite Christian group. The BBC's Wyre Davies in Beirut says that although the attack comes after a long period of relative calm in the city, many residents had feared something like this would happen and that Lebanon would be inevitably dragged into the conflict in Syria.
Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi called it a "cowardly terrorist act".
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the government was trying to identify the perpetrators and said they would be punished.
The attack occurred close to 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 in the area.The general secretariat of the Western-backed 14 March coalition of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is also based in the area.
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."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. Some 14 March politicians have specifically accused the Syrian government of being behind the bombing.
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.
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