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| Beirut blast 'kills intelligence official Wissam al-Hassan' | Beirut blast 'kills intelligence official Wissam al-Hassan' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A senior Lebanese intelligence official was among at least eight people killed in a massive car bomb attack in central Beirut, state media say. | A senior Lebanese intelligence official was among at least eight people killed in a massive car bomb attack in central Beirut, state media say. |
| Wissam al-Hassan was said to be close to opposition leader Saad Hariri, a leading critic of the government in neighbouring Syria. | Wissam al-Hassan was said to be close to opposition leader Saad Hariri, a leading critic of the government in neighbouring Syria. |
| No group has claimed Friday's attack, which was condemned by Damascus. Dozens of people were injured. | No group has claimed Friday's attack, which was condemned by Damascus. Dozens of people were injured. |
| Tensions in Lebanon have been rising as a result of the Syrian conflict. | Tensions in Lebanon have been rising as a result of the Syrian conflict. |
| Friday's attack was the deadliest in Beirut since 2008. | |
| It occurred in the mainly Christian district of Ashrafiya, in a busy street close to the headquarters of the Mr Hariri's 14 March coalition. | |
| Some 14 March politicians have accused the Syrian government of being behind the bombing. | |
| However 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 blast set many cars ablaze and destroyed the facades of nearby buildings. | |
| Ronnie Chatah, who lives nearby, told the BBC: "The building shook and it echoed throughout the neighbourhood." | |
| Hospitals across the city have reported large numbers of wounded, and called for people to donate blood. |