An explosion has rocked a busy suburb in southern Beirut that is known to be a Hezbollah stronghold, killing at least three people.
It is the second time in just two weeks that Shia-dominated Haret Hreik has been hit by a bomb blast.

The number of casualties is currently unknown, but Al Jazeera's Nisreen el Shamyleh, reporting from Beirut, said that the explosion was near a government building.

"This is a very targeted area of Beirut," our correspondent said.

"It is a very busy area and very residential."

Shia armed group Hezbollah's involvement in the Syria conflict has resulted in violence spilling over the border into Lebanon's capital city.

Retired army general Hisham Jaber said the explosion, which was just metres from a previous blast site, had been expected given escalating tensions.

"We have to expect more and more operations against the public. Why are the public a target? Because they want to put direct pressure on Hezbollah to withdraw from Lebanon."

Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, reporting from Montreux where Syria peace talks are due to begin soon, said Syria has been a divisive issue in lebanon for some time.

"When you speak to people they say that they expect these attacks, and many continue to support the Hezbollah stance. This conflict is no longer confined to the borders of Syria and it is becoming more difficult to control.

"There is an urgency in Beirut, it is a city on the brink and it is becoming increasingly sectarian."

By Al Jazeera

 

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