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At Least Eight Killed, Scores Wounded By Beirut Bomb

October 19, 2012

Lebanon's state-run news agency says a powerful car bomb exploded in central Beirut on October 19, killing at least eight people and wounding scores.

The National News Agency said the blast was near the headquarters of the Christian Party, the Phalange, in the predominantly Christian Ashrafiyeh district of east Beirut.

At least two apartment buildings were severely damaged and several vehicles were set ablaze.

The motive for the bombing was not immediately clear. But it occurred at a time of heightened tensions between Lebanese political factions that are divided over the conflict in neighboring Syria.

Some factions support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, while others back rebels who are fighting against his rule.

The Phalange party is hostile to Assad.

Based on reporting by dpa, AP, and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/beirut-explosion-car-bomb/24744857.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.