Worldwide Web WorldTribune.com

  breaking... 


Wednesday, January 16, 2008       Free Headline Alerts

U.S. embassy vehicle was the target in Beirut bombing, reception for ambassador canceled

NICOSIA — For the first time in 25 years, the U.S. embassy in Lebanon has come under attack.

A U.S. embassy vehicle was the target of a bombing on Tuesday that killed at least four people. The U.S. armored SUV was damaged, and the casualties were identified as Lebanese, Middle East Newsline reported.

"There were no American diplomats or American citizens in the car at the time," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. "There were four Beirut residents who do not work for the embassy who were killed in the blast."

Also In This Edition

Officials said the bombing, which stemmed from a garbage bin, took place prior to a reception for U.S. ambassador Jeffrey Feltman in a Beirut hotel. Feltman, an outspoken critic of Syria, plans to leave Lebanon at the end of January.

Lebanese sources said the SUV had been ordered to secure a route meant to be used by Feltman. In the end, the reception was canceled.

"The U.S. embassy in Lebanon has limited movement of its personnel after an explosion north of Beirut," the U.S. embassy in Beirut said. "The embassy is monitoring the situation closely and reminds all Americans residing in Lebanon to maintain a high level of vigilance, especially when planning travel. Americans are also advised to avoid popular gathering spots and to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement officials."

This was the first known strike on the U.S. embassy in Beirut since 1983. During that year, 17 Americans, including CIA officials, were killed in a suicide bomb attack.

"We are going to take a look at what implications, if any, there are for our security posture in Beirut," McCormack said.

Officials said the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security would investigate the bombing along with Lebanese authorities. They said the U.S. embassy in Beirut was reviewing security measures.

"To the degree that there is any thought of intimidation in an attack of this kind, the United States will of course not be deterred in its efforts to help the Lebanese people, to help the democratic forces in Lebanon, to help Lebanon resist foreign interference in their affairs," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.


About Us     l    Contact Us     l    Geostrategy-Direct.com     l    East-Asia-Intel.com
Copyright © 2008    East West Services, Inc.    All rights reserved.