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Lebanon 'bomb' kills UN soldiers Lebanon 'bomb' kills UN soldiers
(20 minutes later)
At least five soldiers serving with the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (Unifil) have died when their vehicle was hit by an explosive device.At least five soldiers serving with the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (Unifil) have died when their vehicle was hit by an explosive device.
Three of the dead were originally from Colombia, two from Spain, the Spanish defence minister said. They were the first Spanish casualties in Lebanon.Three of the dead were originally from Colombia, two from Spain, the Spanish defence minister said. They were the first Spanish casualties in Lebanon.
Three other Spaniards were injured in the incident near Israel's border.Three other Spaniards were injured in the incident near Israel's border.
No-one has admitted responsibility. Spain's defence minister has said it was a "premeditated attack".No-one has admitted responsibility. Spain's defence minister has said it was a "premeditated attack".
Radical groups in Lebanon have threatened to attack peacekeepers.Radical groups in Lebanon have threatened to attack peacekeepers.
We are working on the theory of a terrorist attack Jose Antonio AlonsoSpanish Defence Minister
For the last five weeks, the Lebanese army has been battling militants from the Fatah al-Islam group.For the last five weeks, the Lebanese army has been battling militants from the Fatah al-Islam group.
Authorities have said that Fatah al-Islam militants who have been arrested and interrogated have confessed there was a plan to attack the UN, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut.Authorities have said that Fatah al-Islam militants who have been arrested and interrogated have confessed there was a plan to attack the UN, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut.
The militants are said to be inspired by al-Qaeda.The militants are said to be inspired by al-Qaeda.
Multinational forceMultinational force
Sunday's explosion took place took place between the towns of Khiyam and Marjeyoun, near the border with Israel in the area of operation of UN peacekeepers. Sunday's explosion took place between the towns of Khiyam and Marjeyoun, near the border with Israel in the area of operation of UN peacekeepers.
A convoy of armoured UN vehicles from a Spanish battalion was hit by the blast.A convoy of armoured UN vehicles from a Spanish battalion was hit by the blast.
It was initially unclear if the soldiers were targeted or hit unexploded ordinance left over from last summer's war between Israel and Lebanon's Shia guerrilla movement Hezbollah. It was initially unclear what caused the explosion.
Hezbollah has issued a statement condemning the attack. Spain's Defence Minister Jose Antonio Alonso said it was believed to have been caused either by an explosive device remotely detonated, or a suicide car bomb.
"This act of aggression is aimed at increasing insecurity in Lebanon, especially in the south of the country," it said. "We are working on the theory of a terrorist attack. In the last few weeks there have been many incidents which have destabilised Lebanon. We were on high alert and we had stepped up security," Mr Alonso said.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner both condemned the attack at a joint press conference in Paris.
Lebanese group Hezbollah described it as an "act of aggression... aimed at increasing insecurity in Lebanon, especially in the south of the country".
The Unifil peacekeeping force, which has been deployed in Lebanon since 1978, was beefed up last summer after the end of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.The Unifil peacekeeping force, which has been deployed in Lebanon since 1978, was beefed up last summer after the end of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
There are now around 13,000 UN peacekeepers deployed in the area, including French, Spanish and Indian soldiers.There are now around 13,000 UN peacekeepers deployed in the area, including French, Spanish and Indian soldiers.