Beirut journalist killed in car bomb blast

Nadim Ladki, Beirut

The killing of columnist Samir Qaseer four days after the start of Lebanon’s staggered parliamentary elections shocked the country that is only just coming to terms with the assassination of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri in February.

Security sources said Qaseer, from An-Nahar newspaper, died instantly when a bomb under the driver’s seat of his white Alfa Romeo blew up as he switched on the ignition outside his home in the Christian Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood. The lower part of his body was torn apart. A passerby was wounded, several cars were damaged and windows in nearby building were shattered by the explosion.