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'Nine killed' in Lebanon blasts 'Eleven killed' in Lebanon blasts
(20 minutes later)
At least nine people have been killed in explosions that hit two buses near the Lebanese capital, officials say. At least 11 people have been killed in explosions that hit two buses near the Lebanese capital, officials say.
Local reports said two blasts hit a road near the mainly Christian village of Bikfaya, in the hills above Beirut.Local reports said two blasts hit a road near the mainly Christian village of Bikfaya, in the hills above Beirut.
Pictures showed one bus destroyed, its roof blown off and seats torn apart, with pools of blood on the roadside.Pictures showed one bus destroyed, its roof blown off and seats torn apart, with pools of blood on the roadside.
The explosions come at a time of acute political tension in Lebanon, and a day before the second anniversary of the killing of former PM Rafik Hariri.The explosions come at a time of acute political tension in Lebanon, and a day before the second anniversary of the killing of former PM Rafik Hariri.
A large rally is planned in downtown Beirut on Wednesday to mark the assassination, in a massive bomb blast that killed 22 others besides Hariri.A large rally is planned in downtown Beirut on Wednesday to mark the assassination, in a massive bomb blast that killed 22 others besides Hariri.
TensionTension
Lebanese radio said the buses were carrying people to work through the village of Ain Alaq, just south of Bikfaya.Lebanese radio said the buses were carrying people to work through the village of Ain Alaq, just south of Bikfaya.
Ambulances rushed casualties to hospital and urgent appeals for blood donations were broadcast by the media.Ambulances rushed casualties to hospital and urgent appeals for blood donations were broadcast by the media.
Bikfaya is the ancestral home of the Gemayels, one of the most prominent Christian families in Lebanese politics.Bikfaya is the ancestral home of the Gemayels, one of the most prominent Christian families in Lebanese politics.
Pierre Gemayel, a member of Lebanon's anti-Syrian coalition government, was assassinated last November. Pierre Gemayel, a member of Lebanon's western-backed, anti-Syrian coalition government, was assassinated last November.
Sectarian and political tensions have been running high in Lebanon, erupting in clashes in January between supporters and opponents of the government. Sectarian and political tensions are running high in Lebanon, erupting in clashes in January between supporters and opponents of the government.
Correspondents say that organisers from the different political factions in Lebanon have been working hard to avoid problems as government supporters planned to mark the anniversary of Hariri's death in the same Beirut square where opposition supporters have been holding a sit-in.
Lebanon's political crisis arose when since six pro-Syrian ministers resigned in November, primarily over the endorsement by the cabinet of a UN tribunal to try suspects in the Hariri bombing.