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| Bombs tear through Lebanon buses | Bombs tear through Lebanon buses |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Two bombs have exploded minutes apart near the Lebanese capital, killing three people and wounding 20 others. | Two bombs have exploded minutes apart near the Lebanese capital, killing three people and wounding 20 others. |
| The casualties were travelling on two buses near Bikfaya, a mainly Christian town in the hills north of Beirut. | The casualties were travelling on two buses near Bikfaya, a mainly Christian town in the hills north of Beirut. |
| Initial reports said 12 people had died. Investigators sealed off the area to collect evidence from the wrecks. | Initial reports said 12 people had died. Investigators sealed off the area to collect evidence from the wrecks. |
| The bombings 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 bombings 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. |
| Organisers of a mass rally planned in downtown Beirut on Wednesday to mark the Hariri assassination said there were no plans to cancel it. | Organisers of a mass rally planned in downtown Beirut on Wednesday to mark the Hariri assassination said there were no plans to cancel it. |
| Lebanese radio said the buses were passing through the village of Ain Alaq, just south of Bikfaya. | Lebanese radio said the buses were passing through the village of Ain Alaq, just south of Bikfaya. |
| The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says this clearly well-planned attack, involving considerable organisation, will reinforce fears of many Lebanese that hidden hands are at work trying to stir up civil strife. | The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says this clearly well-planned attack, involving considerable organisation, will reinforce fears of many Lebanese that hidden hands are at work trying to stir up civil strife. |
| Tension | Tension |
| Officials said the first bus exploded, causing damage and casualties, and as people rushed to the scene, a second explosion ripped through the second bus as it drove up behind it. | Officials said the first bus exploded, causing damage and casualties, and as people rushed to the scene, a second explosion ripped through the second bus as it drove up behind it. |
| The death toll was initially reported as much higher, but the Lebanese Red Cross said its workers had only delivered three bodies to hospitals. | The death toll was initially reported as much higher, but the Lebanese Red Cross said its workers had only delivered three bodies to hospitals. |
| 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 western-backed, anti-Syrian coalition government, was gunned down by unknown attackers in East Beirut last November. | Pierre Gemayel, a member of Lebanon's western-backed, anti-Syrian coalition government, was gunned down by unknown attackers in East Beirut last November. |
| Three other prominent public figures from the anti-Syrian camp have died in bombings in the last two years. Syria has always denied accusations of involvement. | Three other prominent public figures from the anti-Syrian camp have died in bombings in the last two years. Syria has always denied accusations of involvement. |
| Political and sectarian tensions have running high in Lebanon, erupting in clashes in January between supporters and opponents of the government. | Political and sectarian tensions have running high in Lebanon, erupting in clashes in January between supporters and opponents of the government. |
| Correspondents say organisers from the different political factions have been working hard to avoid problems at Wednesday's pro-government rally, close to where opposition supporters have been holding a sit-in. | Correspondents say organisers from the different political factions have been working hard to avoid problems at Wednesday's pro-government rally, close to where opposition supporters have been holding a sit-in. |
| Lebanon's political crisis arose when 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. | Lebanon's political crisis arose when 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. |
Are | Are in or near Bikfaya? Did you see or have you been affected by this incident? Will you be taking part in Wednesday's rally in Beirut? |
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