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Lebanon blast: Car bombing in Beirut kills eight Lebanon blast: Car bombing in Beirut kills eight
(31 minutes later)
A huge car bomb has killed at least eight people and injured 78 in central 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 a busy street in the predominantly Christian district of Ashrafiya.The explosion occurred in a busy street in the predominantly Christian district of Ashrafiya.
Witnesses say it was heard several kilometres away. It is the deadliest attack in Beirut since 2008. The intended target may have been top intelligence official Wissam al-Hassan, officials say. Some reports say he was killed.
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 the bombing. Tensions in Lebanon have been rising over the conflict in Syria.
Friday's attack took place near Sassine Square, at a time when many parents were picking up children from school. Mr Hassan was involved in the uncovering of a recent bomb plot that led to the arrest of a pro-Syrian Lebanese politician.
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''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. Friday's attack was the deadliest in Beirut since 2008. It took place near Sassine Square, at a time when many parents were picking up children from school.
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. There were chaotic scenes as emergency vehicles rushed to Ashrafiya just as the weekend was about to begin.
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. After a long period of relative calm this is the first big bomb attack in the Lebanese capital in four years. But many here had feared something like this would happen sooner or later and that Lebanon would be inevitably dragged into the conflict in neighbouring Syria.
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. Some Lebanese political leaders have already accused the Assad regime in Syria of being behind the attack, even though it is still too early to say who is responsible.
The danger now is not only that there may be further such attacks but also that tensions will grow between Lebanon's numerous armed and political factions - many of whom are defined by their positions on the Syrian conflict.
Hospitals across the city have reported large numbers of wounded, and called for people to donate blood.
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 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.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 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."
Some 14 March politicians have specifically accused the Syrian government of being behind the bombing.Some 14 March politicians have specifically accused the Syrian government of being behind the bombing.
However Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi called it a "cowardly terrorist act".
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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