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Lebanese Hunt for Evidence in Beirut Bombing

27 March 2005

Authorities in Lebanon are hunting for evidence to help trace those responsible for a bomb attack that caused extensive damage in Beirut.

The explosion wounded at least eight people in a Christian suburb of east Beirut late Saturday, on the eve of the Christian Easter holy day. The massive blast, which came from an estimated 25 kilograms of explosives hidden in a parked car, caused huge fires in an industrial neighborhood.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the third bombing in eight days apparently aimed at Lebanese Christians. However, opposition political figures are blaming Lebanon's Syrian-backed security services for the blast. They believe it was an attempt to foment unrest in Lebanon as Syria pulls its troops and intelligence agents out of the country.

Lebanon has been in political turmoil since last month's assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which many people contend was ordered by Syria. Amid a round of huge anti-Syrian demonstrations, Damascus agreed to begin withdrawing the thousands of troops and intelligence agents it has stationed in Lebanon for years.

Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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