Heavy Explosion Rocks Downtown Beirut
BEIRUT-A powerful explosion rocked the Lebanese capital near the Phoenicia Hotel killing 5 people, among which was former Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah.
Shatah, who was ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s adviser, was announced by Al-Mustaqbal block. An identification paper showing the name of the ex-minister was located in the area of the blast,according to al-Manar.
The bodies of Shatah and his bodyguard were retrieved from the scene and transferred to Rafik Hariri University Hospital.
A huge plume of smoke was seen rising in the downtown Beirut area.
Reports said the blast was caused by a booby-trapped car. Civil defense and several ambulances rushed to the scene.
R.S