Four Lebanese bystanders have been killed in a bomb blast targeting a US embassy vehicle in a northern suburb of the capital, Beirut, US officials say.
Four Lebanese bystanders have been killed in a bomb blast targeting a US embassy vehicle in a northern suburb of the capital, Beirut, US officials say.
No American diplomats or citizens were in the car at the time, but a Lebanese driver working for the embassy was hurt, the US State Department said.
No American diplomats or citizens were in the car at the time, but a Lebanese driver working for the embassy was hurt, the US State Department said.
The powerful explosion shook the mainly Christian Doura area and send a thick plume of black smoke over the city.
The powerful explosion shook the mainly Christian Doura area and send a thick plume of black smoke over the city.
Lebanon has been hit by a series of bomb attacks in recent years.
Lebanon has been hit by a series of bomb attacks in recent years.
Television footage from the scene showed damaged cars and blood stains on the street of a mixed commercial and residential area.
Television footage from the scene showed damaged cars and blood stains on the street of a mixed commercial and residential area.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says it is one of the main roads running through the north of the city.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says it is one of the main roads running through the north of the city.
There has been no claim of responsibility so far.
There has been no claim of responsibility so far.
US interests
US interests
The blast comes at a time of political crisis in Lebanon with rival pro-Syrian and pro-Western parties deadlocked over efforts to elect a president.
The blast comes at a time of political crisis in Lebanon with rival pro-Syrian and pro-Western parties deadlocked over efforts to elect a president.
Pro-Syrian former President Emile Lahoud stood down in November, and a parliamentary vote to find a successor has been postponed 11 times.
Pro-Syrian former President Emile Lahoud stood down in November, and a parliamentary vote to find a successor has been postponed 11 times.
Most of those killed in bombings have been prominent opponents of Syrian influence in Lebanon, the most significant being former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Most of those killed in bombings have been prominent opponents of Syrian influence in Lebanon, the most significant being former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.
In addition to the political schism, Sunni militant groups have been waging war against Lebanon's state security forces and have openly threatened US interests.
In addition to the political schism, Sunni militant groups have been waging war against Lebanon's state security forces and have openly threatened US interests.
The blast also coincided with an extensive Middle East tour by US President George W Bush, who has been in the Gulf and is heading to Egypt, after a landmark trip to Israel and the occupied West Bank.
The blast also coincided with an extensive Middle East tour by US President George W Bush, who has been in the Gulf and is heading to Egypt, after a landmark trip to Israel and the occupied West Bank.
Are you in Beirut? Did you witness the explosion? Send us your comments.
Are you in Beirut? Did you witness the explosion? Send us your comments.
