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Lebanon hit by deadly bus bombing | Lebanon hit by deadly bus bombing |
(30 minutes later) | |
At least nine people have been killed and several injured by an explosion in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, reports say. | |
Security officials said a bomb went off close to a bus in a busy central area. | Security officials said a bomb went off close to a bus in a busy central area. |
The port city has been the scene of sectarian fighting in recent months in which dozens of people have died. | The port city has been the scene of sectarian fighting in recent months in which dozens of people have died. |
The attack comes a day after the new national unity government won a vote of confidence and as President Michel Suleiman was due to travel to Syria. | |
An official told the AFP news agency that a bomb went off in Masarif Street, in Tripoli's busy commercial district. | An official told the AFP news agency that a bomb went off in Masarif Street, in Tripoli's busy commercial district. |
Several soldiers are reported to be among the dead. | Several soldiers are reported to be among the dead. |
In recent months Tripoli has seen a series of clashes between Sunni Muslim and Alawite fighters linked to Hezbollah and Syria. | In recent months Tripoli has seen a series of clashes between Sunni Muslim and Alawite fighters linked to Hezbollah and Syria. |
Tuesday's vote gave the formal go-ahead for a government which brings together a Western-backed alliance with former opposition groups led by Hezbollah. | |
Mr Suleiman, the president, was due to travel to Syria on Wednesday for talks with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar al-Assad. | |
The BBC's Bethany Bell, in Beirut, says his visit marks a gradual thaw in relations between the two countries, which have been strained since the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. | |
Many Lebanese blame Syria for the killing, but Damascus has consistently denied any involvement. | Many Lebanese blame Syria for the killing, but Damascus has consistently denied any involvement. |