Nine killed in Lebanon bus blasts-security source

[maddezmom]

BEIRUT, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Nine people were killed in two bomb blasts that wrecked minibuses near the Lebanese Christian mountain town of Bikfaya on Tuesday, a security source said.

The source said about 20 people had been wounded. The attacks on the public buses occurred a day before the second anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Security fears have been running high in Lebanon since clashes last month between supporters and opponents of the Western-backed government.

An army spokesman said one explosion had ripped through a minibus carrying passengers near the town, causing casualties. He said it appeared from first reports that the second blast had hit another minibus in the same area.

Television footage showed several destroyed vehicles, including a minibus with its roof torn off, on a mountain road. Ambulances were evacuating the casualties.

more: http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1392839.htm

[Binka]

1. Bombs Tear Trough Lebanon Buses

Two bombs have exploded minutes apart near the Lebanese capital, killing three people and wounding 20 others.

The casualties were traveling on two buses near Bikfaya, a mainly Christian town in the hills north of Beirut.

Initial reports said 12 people had died. Investigators sealed off the area to collect evidence from the wrecks.




http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6356271.stm

[pampango]

2. Wow, bombs on a passenger bus. Where have I heard of that

before. Wonder who would bomb such a bus in a Christian part of the country from which the president who was assassinated last year was from. Doesn't pay to be anti-Syrian in Lebanon.

[ohio2007]

4. The anniversary of the death of Hariri is today,Feb 14th. the bombers plan

is to limit the # of people going into downtown to mark the occasion. They don't want the previous Pro hizbollah ralley to be dwarfed in comparison. Guess we will know if the media decides to show pics of the ralley

[bemildred]

3. Lebanese PM: Bus bombings are an attempt to destabilize country

At least three people were killed and 20 wounded in a twin bombing Tuesday morning that ripped moments apart through two minibuses near a Lebanese Christian mountain town northeast of Beirut.

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Amin Gemayel, a supporter of Siniora, told the Voice of Lebanon radio station Tuesday that "alien hands" were behind the explosions. "Lebanese do not kill Lebanese," he said.

The leader of Lebanon's Druze minority, Walid Jumblatt, accused Syria of having a hand in the attacks.

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"Faced with this new attempt to destabilize Lebanon, it is essential that the Lebanese close ranks so as not to fall into the trap that is laid for them," Douste-Blazy said.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/825380.html