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Blast kills Lebanon army general Blast kills Lebanon army general
(about 1 hour later)
At least four people, including a Lebanese army general, have died in an explosion near the presidential palace on the outskirts of Beirut.At least four people, including a Lebanese army general, have died in an explosion near the presidential palace on the outskirts of Beirut.
Dozens were also injured in the blast in the Christian town of Baabda.Dozens were also injured in the blast in the Christian town of Baabda.
Gen Francois al-Hajj was tipped to become army chief if Gen Michel Suleiman takes over as president.Gen Francois al-Hajj was tipped to become army chief if Gen Michel Suleiman takes over as president.
The pro-West ruling bloc and pro-Syrian opposition agree Gen Suleiman should succeed ex-President Emile Lahoud to break a political impasse. Lebanon is in a deep political crisis. Parliament has failed to elect a president and the opposition refuses to recognise elected government.
Gen al-Hajj was chief of operations when Lebanon's army fought Islamic militants from Fatah al-Islam in Nahr al-Bared refugee camp earlier this year. While the pro-West ruling bloc and pro-Syrian opposition, led by Hezbollah, agree Gen Suleiman should succeed former President Emile Lahoud to break a political impasse, the factions are cannot agree on the formation of a new government.
Gen Hajj was chief of operations when Lebanon's army fought Islamic militants from Fatah al-Islam in Nahr al-Bared refugee camp earlier this year.
About 400 people, mainly militants and soldiers, died in the violence, and some 40,000 people were displaced.About 400 people, mainly militants and soldiers, died in the violence, and some 40,000 people were displaced.
The BBC's Jim Muir at the scene of the blast says it looks like the incident was the result of a bomb and that it was a targeted attack aimed at Gen al-Hajj. High security zone
The BBC's Jim Muir at the scene of the blast says it looks like the incident was the result of a bomb and that it was a targeted attack aimed at Gen Hajj.
Security officials said Gen Hajj had left his home by car just minutes earlier, probably en route to the nearby ministry of defence.
It is believed that both he and his bodyguard were killed instantly.
LEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS Feb 2005: Ex-PM Rafik HaririApril 2005: MP Bassel FleihanJune 2005: Anti-Syria journalist Samir KassirJune 2005: Ex-Communist leader George HawiDec 2005: Anti-Syria MP Gebran TueniNov 2006: Industry Minister Pierre GemayelJune 2007: Anti-Syria MP Walid EidoSep 2007: Anti-Syria MP Antoine GhanimDec 2007: Army Gen Francois al-HajjLEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS Feb 2005: Ex-PM Rafik HaririApril 2005: MP Bassel FleihanJune 2005: Anti-Syria journalist Samir KassirJune 2005: Ex-Communist leader George HawiDec 2005: Anti-Syria MP Gebran TueniNov 2006: Industry Minister Pierre GemayelJune 2007: Anti-Syria MP Walid EidoSep 2007: Anti-Syria MP Antoine GhanimDec 2007: Army Gen Francois al-Hajj
The large explosion has left the area littered with the wreckage of burned-out vehicles, he says. The large explosion, which occurred at 0710 (0510GMT), has left the area littered with the wreckage of burned-out vehicles, our correspondent says.
The army command issued a statement concerning the incident:
"This morning, the criminal hand targeted head of army operations Brig Gen Francois Hajj with a bomb as he drove in his car opposite Baabda municipality, which led to his death along with a number of soldiers, and wounded others."
"The army sealed off the area and has started investigating," it added.
The suspected bombing took place in a high security area, which is home not only to the presidential palace, but to the ministry of defence, several embassies and homes of senior politicians.
The fact that someone was able to kill such a high level army commander in an area like that suggests that they are very organised, very capable and utilising lots of intelligence, our correspondent says.
With Lebanon in the grips of the worst political crisis since the country's long civil war ended in 1990, our correspondent says this is exactly the kind of tension-raising incident which it is feared could trigger much wider unrest.With Lebanon in the grips of the worst political crisis since the country's long civil war ended in 1990, our correspondent says this is exactly the kind of tension-raising incident which it is feared could trigger much wider unrest.
Political vacuum
The pro-Syrian Mr Lahoud left office on 24 November and legislators have repeatedly failed to elect a new president.The pro-Syrian Mr Lahoud left office on 24 November and legislators have repeatedly failed to elect a new president.
On Monday members of parliament postponed their vote to elect a successor for an eighth time.On Monday members of parliament postponed their vote to elect a successor for an eighth time.
They are divided on the make-up of the new government.They are divided on the make-up of the new government.
There is also said to be a dispute over how to amend the constitution to allow a senior civil servant to be elected.There is also said to be a dispute over how to amend the constitution to allow a senior civil servant to be elected.
Under Article 49 of the current constitution, senior civil servants like Gen Suleiman are barred from becoming president within two years of stepping down.Under Article 49 of the current constitution, senior civil servants like Gen Suleiman are barred from becoming president within two years of stepping down.


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