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Lebanon bomb hits Syria-bound Hezbollah convoy: security

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AFP Baalbek
A bomb hit a Hezbollah convoy travelling towards the Lebanese border crossing with Syria, wounding two people, a security source said today.

One vehicle was struck by the explosion near the Masnaa border crossing, the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The other vehicles in the convoy escaped the bomb attack and continued along the road, the source added.

Witnesses reported hearing an explosion in the area, and said those injured were transferred to another vehicle in the convoy and taken away.

Lebanon's National News Agency said "an explosive device detonated... On the Majdal Anjar-Masnaa road, targeting a jeep".
 

It said the explosion wounded two men, adding that "they were transferred to hospital" for treatment.

Witnesses said the Lebanese army arrived in the area shortly after the blast and sealed off the scene.

The bombing is the fourth time that a vehicle has been targeted by an explosive device in the Bekaa region, which is a stronghold of the Shiite Hezbollah movement.

On July 7, three people were injured, including two Lebanese soldiers when two bombs exploded in the area.

That attack followed a similar blast on June 28, when two small bombs hit a Hezbollah convoy in the area, detonating as four cars passed, a security source said.

The powerful Shiite organisation has dispatched fighters to battle alongside the Syrian regime against rebels seeking the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.

The conflict, pitting a Sunni-dominated rebel movement against Assad, whose Alawite faith is an offshoot of Shiite Islam, has raised sectarian tensions in Lebanon.

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First Published: Jul 16 2013 | 9:40 PM IST

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