Anti-Cedar Revolution Terrorism in Beirut

[onedomino]

It did not take long for anti-Cedar Revolution terrorism to begin in Beirut

Car bomb explodes in Beirut
Authorities cannot confirm cause of blast
Friday, March 18, 2005 Posted: 8:07 PM EST (0107 GMT)

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/03/18/beirut.explosion/

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- An explosion in eastern Beirut rattled the Lebanese capital early Saturday morning.

Lebanese media reported that a car bomb went off in the eastern section of Beirut known as Jdeideh, a traditionally Christian area.

Reporters said the bombing happened outside a bingo parlor called Space 2 and that several people were taken to a hospital. The first floor of the building was severely damaged, reports indicated.

Authorities told CNN there was an explosion, but they could not pinpoint a cause or whether there were casualties.

The explosion went off about 12:30 a.m. (5:30 p.m. Friday ET) and was heard more than five miles away.

Lebanon has been in turmoil since former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 16 others were killed February 14 by a car bomb.

Hariri was the chief opposition figure in Lebanon and spearheaded the push for Syrian troops and intelligence officers to leave Lebanon.

His death triggered huge daily protests by his supporters, after which the pro-Syria Lebanese government resigned.

A U.N.-appointed team that has been investigating the Hariri assassination finished its work Tuesday and, according to a U.N. spokesman, hopes to submit a report next week.

Last week, Syria began moving its 14,000 troops in Lebanon to the Bekaa Valley near the border of the two countries. Syria has vowed to bring its troops and intelligence officials across the border into Syria.