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Lebanon blasts hit Iran's embassy in Beirut Lebanon blasts hit Iran's embassy in Beirut
(about 1 hour later)
At least 22 people have been killed and more than 140 injured in a double suicide bombing outside the Iranian embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut.At least 22 people have been killed and more than 140 injured in a double suicide bombing outside the Iranian embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut.
There are conflicting reports as to whether the Iranian cultural attache survived the attack. There are conflicting reports as to whether the Iranian cultural attache died in the attack.
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 said it carried out the attack. The Sunni jihadist group Abdullah Azzam Brigades said it was behind the attack.
Lebanese officials said the first suicide attacker was on a motorcycle, while the second was in a four-wheel drive vehicle. The head of the al-Qaeda-linked group described the attack as a "double martyrdom operation carried out by two heroes from the heroic Sunnis of Lebanon".
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 conflict in Syria has increased sectarian tensions in its smaller neighbour.
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.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. Syria's President Assad comes from the Alawite sect, a heterodox offshoot of Shia Islam.
Mr Assad comes from the Alawite sect, a heterodox offshoot of Shia Islam. The BBC's Paul Wood, in Beirut, says the number of people killed in Tuesday's attack makes it one of the worst in Shia southern Beirut since the war across the border in Syria began.
Burning cars But more significantly, he says, it is the first attack on an Iranian target.
TV images showed burning cars, bodies on the street and damaged buildings. Confusion over diplomat
The Iranian ambassador to Beirut had earlier confirmed cultural attache Ebrahim Ansari's death to Hezbollah's al-Manar TV, saying it was not clear if he had been in the embassy itself or one of the residential buildings nearby. The Iranian ambassador in Beirut had earlier confirmed cultural attache Ebrahim Ansari's death to Hezbollah's al-Manar TV, saying it was not clear if he had been in the embassy itself or one of the residential buildings nearby.
However, the Iranian foreign ministry now says he is alive.However, the Iranian foreign ministry now says he is alive.
Mr Ansari had only taken up his post a month ago.Mr Ansari had only taken up his post a month ago.
Carine Torbey, from BBC Arabic, says a suicide attack would be a major escalation. BBC Arabic's Carine Torbey, 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. Lebanese officials said the first suicide attacker was on a motorcycle, while the second was in a four-wheel drive vehicle.
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 new agency 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 blamed Israel for the attack - an accusation Israel swiftly rejected.The Iranian 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." Tzachi Hanegbi, a member of the foreign affairs and defence committee in the Israeli parliament, said Israel played "no part" in the incident.
Syria condemned the explosion. The Syrian government condemned the attack, as did UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, saying: "The UK is strongly committed to supporting stability in Lebanon and seeing those responsible for this attack brought to justice."
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 are due to play a football match in Beirut as scheduled on Tuesday evening, but without spectators, Lebanese media report.
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. This is not the first time the Syrian conflict has spilled over into violence in Lebanon.
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. Later in August, more than 40 people were killed in two blasts outside mosques in Tripoli.
Syrian rebels beaten back
Meanwhile, inside Syria, the government appears to be winning its attempt to cut off one of the rebels' last remaining supply routes across the Lebanese border.
The Syrian army has taken control of the town of Qara after three days of fighting.
The rebel group Jabat al-Nusra declared that it and other rebel forces had withdrawn.
The Syrian government now controls the road linking the coast to the capital.
The rebel-held suburbs around Damascus, which are already under siege and bombardment, will now be under even more pressure.