Thanks for posting this.
Amish at it again, no doubt.
BUMP
Strong explosion near Beirut, victims
BEIRUT-A strong explosion took place on Wednesday morning in the suburbs of Beirut, near the presidential palace, causing casualties, told AFP a source of security services without giving further details.
"An explosion occurred at Baada. Ago victims," said the source who wished to remain anonymous.
A European ambassador who lives in the neighborhood confirmed to AFP that the explosion had caused casualties, dead or wounded.
The explosion, "very strong", occurred at a peak hour with a lot of movement, "said the diplomat who did not wish to be identified.
In addition to the presidential palace, many embassies are located in the district of Baada.
The explosion occurred while Lebanon was plunged into a serious political crisis, illustrated by the inability of the parties to agree to elect a president.
The President of the Parliament Nabih Berri announced Monday night that the meeting scheduled Tuesday for the election of the President was again postponed, to Monday, Dec. 17.
The Lebanese political circles now refer to the inability to hold a vote in Parliament before the end of the year, or even next March, while President Emile Lahoud left office at the end of its mandate on November 23 without a his successor has not been found.
Nothing on the Iris seismic chart, so it wasn’t over Mag 4.0
A work accident?
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Lebanon: A General of the Lebanese Army died in a bombing
BEIRUT-General of the Lebanese army, François el-Hajj, was killed in an attack that occurred Wednesday in a suburb of Beirut, told AFP an official of the security services.
"He is dead," the source said under cover of anonymity.
Francis el-Hajj was chief of operations last summer when fighting between the Lebanese army and Islamists Fatah al-Islam in the Palestinian refugee camp nde Nahr al-Bared.
It is a close favorite candidate for the presidency, the Chief of the Army Michel Sleimane.
The explosion occurred at Baada, a Christian area southeast of the Lebanese capital, with the passage of the car of the general.
At least four people were killed and seven others wounded, according to the Lebanese Red Cross.
BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7139809.stm
photo
At least four people, including a Lebanese army general, have died in an explosion near the presidential palace on the outskirts of Beirut.
Dozens were also injured in the blast in the Christian town of Baabda.
Gen Francois al-Hajj was chief of operations when Lebanon’s army fought Islamic militants in Nahr al-Bared refugee camp earlier this year.
It comes a day after a parliamentary vote to elect a new president was postponed for the eighth time.
The move prolongs the deadlock between the pro-Syrian backers of former president Emile Lahoud and the pro-Western government of Fouad Siniora.