Lebanon: Car blast near Hezbollah position

A car bomb exploded near a Hezbollah position in eastern Lebanon at dawn on Tuesday, causing an unknown number of casualties, a security source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"A blast went off at around 4 am (0200 GMT)... near a Hezbollah position in Sbouba... causing deaths and injuries," said the source, adding that the explosion was caused by a car bomb.

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The Voice of Lebanon radio station said 20 people were injured in the blast, some sustaining serious wounds. According to Hezbollah's al-Manar network, there were no injuries or damage in the incident.

The official Lebanese news agency reported later on that the car had blocked a Hezbollah roadblock. Members of the Shiite organization chased the vehicle and opened fire on it, causing the blast. According to al-Arabiya, the driver detonated the car.

According to reports, several citizens were hurt and ambulances were dispatched to the area.

The security source said Hezbollah members, whose center is located about 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) from the scene of the blast, and security forces quickly deployed in the area.

Several vehicles suspected as car bombs have been seized on the same road. In recent months, several blasts have targeted Hezbollah-controlled areas and convoys in Beirut and the Bekaa valley in eastern Lebanon.

On November 19, two suicide attackers targeted the Iranian embassy in southern Beirut, killing 23 people.

Analysts say the blasts are linked to the involvement of Tehran-backed Hezbollah in Syria's war.

Hezbollah has deployed thousands of its men into Syria, to fight alongside troops loyal to President Bashar Assad.

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