Strong Explosion Hits Hizballah Stronghold In Beirut, Killing At Least 14
Dozens of people have been reported killed or injured in a powerful blast in Beirut's southern suburbs.
The area is a stronghold of Lebanon's Shi'ite movement Hizballah, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The Lebanese Army said the blast was caused by a car bomb.
The state-run news agency said at least 14 people were killed and more than 200 wounded.
Nearby buildings were severely damaged and cars destroyed.
A previously unknown Syrian rebel group claimed responsibility for the explosion in a video posted online.
Hizballah's intervention in the Syrian war in support of Assad has worsened sectarian tensions in Lebanon.
Lebanon's Sunni Muslims mostly support Sunni majority rebels in Syria, while Shi'a largely support Assad, whose Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam.
The area is a stronghold of Lebanon's Shi'ite movement Hizballah, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The Lebanese Army said the blast was caused by a car bomb.
The state-run news agency said at least 14 people were killed and more than 200 wounded.
Nearby buildings were severely damaged and cars destroyed.
A previously unknown Syrian rebel group claimed responsibility for the explosion in a video posted online.
Hizballah's intervention in the Syrian war in support of Assad has worsened sectarian tensions in Lebanon.
Lebanon's Sunni Muslims mostly support Sunni majority rebels in Syria, while Shi'a largely support Assad, whose Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam.
