BEIRUT, Lebanon – A car bomb exploded in Hazmieh, a mainly Christian suburb in eastern Beirut.  Local newspapers and television state that at least ten people were killed.  Wissam Eid, a captain in the Internal Security Force, was killed in the attack and is believed to be the target.  In his statement, national police chief, Brig. Gen. Ashraf Rifi said Captain Eid specialized in intelligence and was handling important files, including “all those having to do with the terrorist bombings’” in Lebanon.  Interior Minister Hassan Sabei said there were two previous tries to kill Eid.  No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

This is the most recent attack in a string of politically motivated bombings since former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed in 2005.  Most of the attacks targeted anti-Syrian politicians.  However, there is concern in the increasing attacks on members of the securities services.  In December 2007, General Francois El Hajj was killed in a car bombing.  Hajji was likely to next army chief.  The objective of these attacks is likely to cause further instability in Lebanese politics.

For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Death at Blast Rocks Beirut – 25 January 2008

BBC – Blast Rocks Beirut Eastern Suburb – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Bomb Kills Security Official in Lebanon and at Least 10 Others – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Lebanon’s Deadly Harvest of Bombs – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Villagers Block Road to Syria After Lebanon Bombing – 25 January 2008

New York Times – Media Report Explosion in Beirut – 25 January 2008