Lebanon: Ex Cabinet minister hurt in car bomb

A car bomb in Beirut wounded former Lebanese Cabinet minister Marwan Hamadeh and killed his driver early today, security officials said.

The explosion occurred in the Lebanese capital’s corniche area where the American Community School and the International College, both US organisations, are located.

The officials said the bomb exploded as Hamadeh’s car was driving past it, striking the ex-minister’s vehicle, injuring him and killing his driver.

Hamadeh was rushed to the American University Hospital in Beirut and was reported to be in stable condition.

Car bombings have been a hallmark of Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war which killed more than 150,000 people.