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Bomb kills top Hezbollah leader Bomb kills top Hezbollah leader
(10 minutes later)
Lebanese group Hezbollah says one of its top leaders, Imad Mughniyeh, has died in a bombing in Damascus, and has blamed Israel for assassinating him.Lebanese group Hezbollah says one of its top leaders, Imad Mughniyeh, has died in a bombing in Damascus, and has blamed Israel for assassinating him.
Mughniyeh is widely believed to be behind a wave of Western hostage-taking in Lebanon in the 1980s.Mughniyeh is widely believed to be behind a wave of Western hostage-taking in Lebanon in the 1980s.
Correspondents say he had been in hiding for years and was high on US and Israeli wanted lists.Correspondents say he had been in hiding for years and was high on US and Israeli wanted lists.
Israel denied any role in the killing although a number of Israeli political figures welcomed news of his death.Israel denied any role in the killing although a number of Israeli political figures welcomed news of his death.
Mughniyeh is variously described as special operations or intelligence chief of Hezbollah's secretive military wing.Mughniyeh is variously described as special operations or intelligence chief of Hezbollah's secretive military wing.
Correspondents say his death is a significant blow to Hezbollah, which battled Israel in the 2006 Lebanon war, and its Iranian and Syrian backers.Correspondents say his death is a significant blow to Hezbollah, which battled Israel in the 2006 Lebanon war, and its Iranian and Syrian backers.
Neighbourhood in shockNeighbourhood in shock
Syrian police kept media and other onlookers well away from the scene of the overnight blast in the well-to-do Kafar Soussa district.Syrian police kept media and other onlookers well away from the scene of the overnight blast in the well-to-do Kafar Soussa district.
With all pride we declare a great jihadist leader of the Islamic resistance in Lebanon joining the martyrs Hezbollah's Manar TV Hours later, Syrian state TV confirmed one person had been killed in a car bombing, but did not identify the victim.With all pride we declare a great jihadist leader of the Islamic resistance in Lebanon joining the martyrs Hezbollah's Manar TV Hours later, Syrian state TV confirmed one person had been killed in a car bombing, but did not identify the victim.
"Scores of police and intelligence officers rushed to the site. People in the neighbourhood are shocked," said one resident quoted by Reuters news agency."Scores of police and intelligence officers rushed to the site. People in the neighbourhood are shocked," said one resident quoted by Reuters news agency.
"We saw security officers hauling the body away," said one witness quoted by Reuters news agency."We saw security officers hauling the body away," said one witness quoted by Reuters news agency.
Hezbollah-owned Manar TV in Beirut announced the death saying: "With all pride we declare a great jihadist leader of the Islamic resistance in Lebanon joining the martyrs... the brother commander hajj Imad Mughniyeh".Hezbollah-owned Manar TV in Beirut announced the death saying: "With all pride we declare a great jihadist leader of the Islamic resistance in Lebanon joining the martyrs... the brother commander hajj Imad Mughniyeh".
The group said a funeral service would be held on Thursday. IMAD MUGHNIYEH Born southern Lebanon 1962Indicted for 1985 hijack of TWA airlinerAccused of involvement in 1990s Buenos Aires bombingsOn FBI Most Wanted list since 2001 The group said a funeral service would be held on Thursday.
Beirut has been tense ahead of a mass rally on the same day to commemorate three years since the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.Beirut has been tense ahead of a mass rally on the same day to commemorate three years since the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
There have been repeated clashes between supporters of the pro-Western government and the opposition, which includes Hezbollah.There have been repeated clashes between supporters of the pro-Western government and the opposition, which includes Hezbollah.
High-profile attacksHigh-profile attacks
Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by a group of Shia Muslim clerics after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by a group of Shia Muslim clerics after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
It has emerged in recent years as a major political and military force in Lebanon, after military successes against Israel.It has emerged in recent years as a major political and military force in Lebanon, after military successes against Israel.
Shia militants who went on to become members are thought to have planned some of the most high-profile kidnappings and attacks of the 1980s, including the 1983 suicide bombings in Beirut that killed hundreds of US and French service personnel.Shia militants who went on to become members are thought to have planned some of the most high-profile kidnappings and attacks of the 1980s, including the 1983 suicide bombings in Beirut that killed hundreds of US and French service personnel.
Mughniyeh was among several suspects indicted in the US for the 1985 hijacking of a TWA airliner in which a US Navy diver was killed.Mughniyeh was among several suspects indicted in the US for the 1985 hijacking of a TWA airliner in which a US Navy diver was killed.
Israel believes he was involved in planning the 1992 bombing of Israel's embassy in Argentina in which 29 people were killed, and the blast at a Buenos Aires Jewish centre two years later that killed 95.Israel believes he was involved in planning the 1992 bombing of Israel's embassy in Argentina in which 29 people were killed, and the blast at a Buenos Aires Jewish centre two years later that killed 95.
The Israeli government, which has been accused of a series of assassinations of its enemies in various countries over the years, denied killing Mughniyeh.The Israeli government, which has been accused of a series of assassinations of its enemies in various countries over the years, denied killing Mughniyeh.
"Israel rejects the attempts of terror elements to attribute to Israel any involvement in this incident," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said in a statement."Israel rejects the attempts of terror elements to attribute to Israel any involvement in this incident," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said in a statement.
But MP Danny Yatom called the killing "a big achievement for the free world against terrorist organisations."But MP Danny Yatom called the killing "a big achievement for the free world against terrorist organisations."