PANIC ENSUES AFTER EXPLOSION, BOMB SCARE IN BEIRUT

Naharnet, Lebanon
May 9 2007

Panic ensued Wednesday after a small explosion went off during the
morning rush hour followed by a bomb scare in Beirut, but police
reported no injuries or damage.

There were conflicting reports as to what caused the 9 a.m. 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 the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation television channel (LBC)
reported that a dynamite stick or a concussion bomb was tossed from
a speeding car into the empty lot.

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

Shortly afterwards, a luggage left right in the middle of the Sayyad
roundabout also caused panic among citizens.

A huge traffic jam was also reported as police and army troops cordoned
off the area to search the suitcase which was suspected of containing
explosives. No bombs were found.

Future TV said clothing and personal belongings were found in the
luggage.

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 in Ein Alaq near Beirut in
simultaneous bombings on two buses on Feb. 13.

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

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress