A bomb exploded in a mainly Christian suburb of Beirut on Saturday, setting off fires that injured five people. This is the third such attack in eight days.

This attack in Beirut again highlights the increased tensions between Lebanon and Syria starting with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The bomb, which was placed between a car and a furniture factory, destroyed nearby cars, shattered windows, and left behind a ten foot wide crater, according to the Associated Press.

The bombing comes after a previous explosion in the Christian neighbourhood of Jdeideh, which injured nine people.

The attacks have targeted Christian areas, signaling a possible return to similar violence that occurred in the civil war in Lebanon from 1975-90.

In addition a powerful bomb tore through a shopping mall in a Christian heartland north of Beirut last Wednesday, injuring seven people.

That explosion was already the second in a Christian area within five days, following the blast the previous Saturday in the Christian suburb of Jdeide in eastern Beirut that wounded 11 people.






Francis Helguero
Ecumenical Press