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| Bombs tear through Lebanon buses | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| 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. | |
| 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 assassination, said there were no plans to cancel it. | Organisers of a mass rally planned in downtown Beirut on Wednesday to mark the assassination, said there were no plans to cancel it. |
| Lebanese radio said the buses were carrying people to work through the village of Ain Alaq, just south of Bikfaya. Ten people were reported hurt in the blasts. | Lebanese radio said the buses were carrying people to work through the village of Ain Alaq, just south of Bikfaya. Ten people were reported hurt in the blasts. |
| 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. |
| "The explosion took place at 0930 (0730 GMT) in a minibus full of passengers and seven minutes later another explosion ripped through a second nearby minibus," said Lebanese state news agency. | "The explosion took place at 0930 (0730 GMT) in a minibus full of passengers and seven minutes later another explosion ripped through a second nearby minibus," said Lebanese state news agency. |
| 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. | |
| 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 assassinated last November. | Pierre Gemayel, a member of Lebanon's western-backed, anti-Syrian coalition government, was assassinated last November. |
| Sectarian and political tensions are 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 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 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 ? | 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 ? |
| Send us your comments using the form below. | Send us your comments using the form below. |
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