Deadly bomb blast rocks Beirut, Lebanon
A deadly explosion in Beirut killed eight people and wounded 80, witnesses and officials tell Reuters
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MTV Lebanon: Prime Minister Najib Miktai has called for a national day of mourning on Saturday following the bomb blast in Beirut. -
Al Jadeed TV: Following the death of Wissam al-Hassan, angry protesters have started walking through the streets.
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Civil defence personnel work at the site of an explosion in the Ashrafiyeh district, central Beirut, October 19, 2012. A huge car bomb exploded in central Beirut during rush hour on Friday, killing eight people, wounding about 80 and raising fears of renewed sectarian violence in a country still scarred from a long civil war. [REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah]
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Lebanon's former President Amine Gemayel (C) and Samir Geagea (L), leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces, speak to journalists during a visit to the scene of a car bomb explosion in Ashrafiyeh, central Beirut, October 19, 2012. A huge car bomb explosion in Beirut on Friday killed a top Lebanese security official whose investigations implicated Syria and Hezbollah in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri seven years ago. [REUTERS/Mahmoud Kheir]
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Sunni Muslim protesters burn tires and block a street in Beirut as they protest against the killing of senior intelligence official Wissam al-Hassan in an explosion, in Beirut October 19, 2012. Sunni Muslims took to the streets and burned tyres across Lebanon in protest against the killing of senior intelligence official Wissam al-Hassan on Friday, witnesses said. Protesters blocked the streets in Sunni strongholds of the eastern Bekaa valley region, the northern area of Akkar, neighbourhoods of the capital Beirut and in the southern city of Sidon. [REUTERS/Hussam Shebaro]
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American University of Beirut has canceled exams for Saturday following today's incident in Lebanon. On Twitter, the school said the exams would be rescheduled for next week. On Facebook, the school said:
"We greatly regret the tragic injuries and loss of life resulting from the explosion today in Beirut. Our thoughts are with the individuals, families and communities that have been affected.
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A Sunni Muslim woman reacts as she burns a tire, blocking a street in Beirut during protests against the killing of senior intelligence official Wissam al-Hassan in an explosion, October 19, 2012. Sunni Muslims took to the streets and burned tyres across Lebanon in protest against the killing of senior intelligence official Wissam al-Hassan on Friday, witnesses said. Protesters blocked the streets in Sunni strongholds of the eastern Bekaa valley region, the northern area of Akkar, neighbourhoods of the capital Beirut and in the southern city of Sidon. [REUTERS/Hussam Shebaro]
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Statement by U.S. National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor on the bomb blast in Beirut, Lebanon:
The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack today in Beirut that killed Lebanese Internal Security Forces Information Bureau Director Wissam al-Hassan and at least seven others, and wounded dozens more.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those killed and injured in this heinous attack and with the Lebanese people, who have sacrificed greatly to overcome war and violence. Lebanon’s security and stability are vital both for the Lebanese people and their neighbors.
There is no justification for using assassination as a political tool. The United States will stand by the Government of Lebanon and the people of Lebanon as they work to bring those responsible for this barbaric attack to justice and build a future where all Lebanese can live in security and dignity.
[Source: WhiteHouse.gov] -
Our live coverage on the bomb blast in Beirut, Lebanon is coming to an end for today. For the latest information on this story, visit Reuters.com
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