SMALL EXPLOSION CAUSES PANIC IN BEIRUT BUT NO INJURIES

Ya Libnan, Lebanon
May 9 2007

Beirut, Lebanon- A small explosion Wednesday followed by a bomb
scare in two Christian neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital caused
no injuries or damage but created huge traffic jams and panic among
some residents in this capital city.

There were conflicting reports as to what caused the explosion in
the Tahwita neighborhood, which ripped through an empty lot near
the Armenian cemetery. Police and army experts said it was caused by
a rusting, left over grenade that detonated because of a fire in a
garbage dump.

But a major private Lebanese television station, LBC, had reported
earlier that a stick of dynamite or a concussion bomb was tossed from
a speeding car into an empty lot.

The explosion caused panic among residents as police and armed troops
deployed in the area and investigators began sifting through the dirt
to pick up evidence. Two fire engines were sent to the neighborhood,
which includes the Medical Association offices and a number of
government buildings.

Shortly afterward, army troops surrounded Sayyad roundabout , another
Beirut neighborhood as they investigated a suitcase suspected of
containing explosives, causing a massive traffic jam in the area. The
suitcase was found to be empty.

Lebanon has been rocked by a series of explosions since late 2004,
mostly targeting anti-Syrian politicians, journalists and businesses
in Christian neighborhoods. The largest of the explosions was the
February 2005 truck bombing that killed former Prime Minister Rafik
Hariri in downtown Beirut.

Three people were killed and 20 wounded near Beirut in near
simultaneous bombings on two buses on Feb. 13.

Lebanon also has seen a rise in sectarian tensions and violence in
recent months between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, resulting in 11 deaths
since December.

Picture: Lebanese investigators search at the scene where a small
explosion blow up in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday May 9, 2007. A small
explosion followed by a bomb scare in two Christian neighborhoods of
the Lebanese capital caused no injuries or damage but created huge
traffic jams and panic among some residents of the capital.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress