Beirut blast 'kills intelligence official Wissam al-Hassan'
BBC News online - 19 October 2012
Tensions in Lebanon have been rising over the conflict in Syria.
A
senior Lebanese intelligence official was among at least eight people
killed in a massive car bomb attack in central Beirut, state media say.
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.
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.
Wissam al-Hassan
- Head of the intelligence branch of Lebanon's Internal Security Forces
- Sunni Muslim born in the northern city of Tripoli in 1965
- Responsible for the security of former PM Rafik Hariri
- Viewed as being close to the Hariris and the opposition 14 March coalition
- Responsible for the August arrest of pro-Syrian politician and ex-information minister Michel Samaha
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.
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Labels: Conflict, Crisis Politics, Culture, Lebanon, Security, Syria, Terrorism
posted by Pieface | 10:25 AM
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