Blast targeting military kills 5 in Lebanon

Source: CCTV.com | 09-30-2008 09:27

A car bomb has exploded near a military bus carrying troops on their way to work in northern Lebanon, killing five people and injuring 26. It is the country's worst car bombing in three years.

The blast occurred during the morning rush hour on Monday. The military sealed off the blast area immediately.

Security officials say four soldiers were among the dead and 22 of the injured were also soldiers. A three-year-old boy was wounded, too.

They say the explosives-laden car was parked on the side of the road. It was detonated by remote control, as the bus carrying about 30 soldiers drove in the Bahsas neighborhood on the southern entrance to the city of Tripoli. The explosives used were mixed with ball bearings to maximize casualties.

Fuad Saniora, Lebanese PM, said, "We express our strong condemnation about what happened and we ask for mercy for the martyrs and a quick recovery for the wounded. "

Some officials say dissident groups are behind the attack, aiming to block the process of peaceful reconciliation in the country.

Monday's blast was the second deadly attack targeting troops in northern Lebanon in less than two months.

In August, a similar roadside bomb killed 18 soldiers and civilians on a busy Tripoli street.

Editor:Liu Fang