A powerful car bomb exploded along Beirut's seafront killing one of the country's most prominent politicians. About 10 people were killed by the blast.

Reports in Lebanon say the target of the car bomb was a convoy carrying former Prime Minister Rafik al Hariri, who was killed in the attack. The 60-year-old politician left office last October.

A number of the former prime minister's bodyguards were reportedly killed or wounded.

Dozens of cars were on fire after a powerful car bomb exploded in Beirut's hotel district. The front of Beirut's famous St. George Hotel was devastated in the blast, with several balconies blown off. Passersbys could be seen pulling people on fire from their burning vehicles. A large plume of smoke also floated over parts of the city.

Hundreds of ambulances and fire trucks rushed to the area of the explosion.