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Lebanon blasts hit Iran's embassy in Beirut Lebanon blasts hit Iran's embassy in Beirut
(35 minutes later)
At least 22 people are reported to have been killed in two explosions that hit the Iranian embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut in quick succession. At least 22 people are reported to have been killed in two bomb blasts that hit the Iranian embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut in quick succession.
The Iranian cultural attache Ebrahim Ansari was among the dead.The Iranian cultural attache Ebrahim Ansari was among the dead.
Iran is a major backer of the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah, which has sent fighters to Syria to back the government of Bashar al-Assad.Iran is a major backer of the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah, which has sent fighters to Syria to back the government of Bashar al-Assad.
A jihadist group linked to al-Qaeda, the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, has said it carried out the attack. A jihadist group linked to al-Qaeda said it carried out the attack, which included a suicide bombing.
The head of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades described it as a "double martyrdom operation carried out by two heroes from the heroic Sunnis of Lebanon".
The Syrian conflict has increased sectarian tensions in Lebanon.
Lebanese Sunni Muslim fighters have joined forces with the mainly Sunni rebels in Syria. Some of the rebel groups are affiliated with al-Qaeda.
Shia Muslim Iran is a major backer of Hezbollah, as well as Mr Assad's government.
Mr Assad comes from the Alawite sect, a heterodox offshoot of Shia Islam.
Burning cars
Reports said one of the blasts was caused by a suicide bomber, while the second was a car bomb.Reports said one of the blasts was caused by a suicide bomber, while the second was a car bomb.
TV images showed burning cars, bodies on the street and damaged buildings.TV images showed burning cars, bodies on the street and damaged buildings.
Carine Torbey, from BBC Arabic, says if it is confirmed as a suicide attack, it would be a major escalation.Carine Torbey, from BBC Arabic, says if it is confirmed as a suicide attack, it would be a major escalation.
Our correspondent, who is at the scene, says security forces are still trying to rescue anyone who may be trapped in the rubble, while Hezbollah fighters are searching everyone who wants to enter the area.Our correspondent, who is at the scene, says security forces are still trying to rescue anyone who may be trapped in the rubble, while Hezbollah fighters are searching everyone who wants to enter the area.
Reuters quotes Lebanese officials as saying CCTV footage showed a man rushing towards the outer wall of the Iranian embassy before blowing himself up, causing the first blast.Reuters quotes Lebanese officials as saying CCTV footage showed a man rushing towards the outer wall of the Iranian embassy before blowing himself up, causing the first blast.
The Iranian ambassador to Beirut confirmed Mr Ansari's death to Hezbollah's al-Manar TV, but said it was not clear if he had been in the embassy itself or one of the residential buildings nearby.The Iranian ambassador to Beirut confirmed Mr Ansari's death to Hezbollah's al-Manar TV, but said it was not clear if he had been in the embassy itself or one of the residential buildings nearby.
Mr Ansari had only taken up his post a month ago, he said.Mr Ansari had only taken up his post a month ago, he said.
The ambassador blamed Israel for the attack - an accusation Israel swiftly rejected.The ambassador blamed Israel for the attack - an accusation Israel swiftly rejected.
Israel played "no part", said Tzachi Hanegbi, a member of the foreign affairs and defence committee in the Israeli parliament, adding: "Of course Israel had nothing to do with such attacks in the past."
Syria condemned the explosion.Syria condemned the explosion.
The Syrian conflict has increased sectarian tensions in Lebanon. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague also denounced the attack, saying: "The UK is strongly committed to supporting stability in Lebanon and seeing those responsible for this attack brought to justice."
Iran and Lebanon will play a football match in Beirut as scheduled on Tuesday afternoon, but without spectators, Lebanese media report.
South Beirut, including the area around the Iranian embassy, is considered a Hezbollah stronghold. It has been hit by several attacks in recent months.South Beirut, including the area around the Iranian embassy, is considered a Hezbollah stronghold. It has been hit by several attacks in recent months.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called the attack "a cowardly terrorist act", Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called the attack "a cowardly terrorist act", Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.
"The aim of the blast is to stir up the situation in Lebanon and use the Lebanese arena to convey messages," he said."The aim of the blast is to stir up the situation in Lebanon and use the Lebanese arena to convey messages," he said.
Our correspondent says those responsible wanted to send a clear message to Iran and Hezbollah.Our correspondent says those responsible wanted to send a clear message to Iran and Hezbollah.
Tehran and the Shia militant group are key backers of the Syrian government, which is currently trying to cut off one of the Syrian rebels' last remaining supply routes across the Lebanese border.Tehran and the Shia militant group are key backers of the Syrian government, which is currently trying to cut off one of the Syrian rebels' last remaining supply routes across the Lebanese border.
On 15 August, 27 people were killed in a car bomb in south Beirut believed to have been targeting a Sunni Muslim cleric opposed to Hezbollah. The cleric was unhurt.On 15 August, 27 people were killed in a car bomb in south Beirut believed to have been targeting a Sunni Muslim cleric opposed to Hezbollah. The cleric was unhurt.
Hezbollah fighters were instrumental in a strategic victory by Syrian government forces in Qusair, close to the border with Lebanon, in early June.Hezbollah fighters were instrumental in a strategic victory by Syrian government forces in Qusair, close to the border with Lebanon, in early June.