BEIRUT, Lebanon — Two explosions detonated close to the Iranian Embassy in Beirut on Tuesday, leaving cars ablaze, buildings damaged and seven people dead, according to preliminary reports from witnesses and a television station. Some reports put the death toll higher.
[h=4]Connect With Us on Twitter[/h] Follow @nytimesworld for international breaking news and headlines.
Twitter List: Reporters and Editors
The area, Bir Hassan, is known as one that is populated by Shiite Muslims. Apart from the Iranian diplomatic representation, the area also houses an office of the Shiite Amal Party, an ally of Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group that is sponsored by Tehran and which has sent its militia forces to fight rebels in neighboring Syria.
In the initial confusion, Reuters said two explosions apparently targeting the Iranian Embassy damaged at least six buildings in the embassy compound. But there was some confusion about whether the explosions were caused by rocket fire or a car bomb.
The Hezbollah-aligned Manar television station quoted preliminary reports as saying seven people were killed. Television images showed charred bodies in a rubble-strewn street lined with cars set on fire by the explosion and blackened trees.
The station said the attack began when a car bomb exploded a few yards away from the embassy. A motorcycle being ridden into the embassy compound after the blast exploded before it got there, the station said.
The explosion followed earlier blasts in July and August against Hezbollah targets in the organization’s southern Beirut stronghold.
Hwaida Saad reported from Beirut, Lebanon, and Alan Cowell from London.
[h=4]Connect With Us on Twitter[/h] Follow @nytimesworld for international breaking news and headlines.
Twitter List: Reporters and Editors
The area, Bir Hassan, is known as one that is populated by Shiite Muslims. Apart from the Iranian diplomatic representation, the area also houses an office of the Shiite Amal Party, an ally of Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group that is sponsored by Tehran and which has sent its militia forces to fight rebels in neighboring Syria.
In the initial confusion, Reuters said two explosions apparently targeting the Iranian Embassy damaged at least six buildings in the embassy compound. But there was some confusion about whether the explosions were caused by rocket fire or a car bomb.
The Hezbollah-aligned Manar television station quoted preliminary reports as saying seven people were killed. Television images showed charred bodies in a rubble-strewn street lined with cars set on fire by the explosion and blackened trees.
The station said the attack began when a car bomb exploded a few yards away from the embassy. A motorcycle being ridden into the embassy compound after the blast exploded before it got there, the station said.
The explosion followed earlier blasts in July and August against Hezbollah targets in the organization’s southern Beirut stronghold.
Hwaida Saad reported from Beirut, Lebanon, and Alan Cowell from London.