Blast Hits Hizballah Stronghold In Beirut

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A powerful explosion has hit an area of Beirut that is a stronghold of the Shi'ite militant group Hizballah.

Security sources say at least 37 people were injured in the blast on July 9.

Television footage showed a large cloud of black smoke rising above the densely populated Bir al-Abed neighborhood in the Lebanese capital.

Hizballah's Al-Manar television reported that the blast was caused by a car bomb in a parking lot next to an Islamic community center.

The area is also the location of many Hizballah political offices.

Syrian rebel groups have threatened to strike in Lebanon after Hizballah sent fighters to aid Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Hizballah fighters were instrumental in the government's retaking of the strategic town of Qusair near the Lebanese border.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP