| Smoke and flames are seen after a blast when a car bomb hit the motorcade of Lebanon's outgoing deputy Prime Minister Elias Murr in the outskirts of Beirut |
A car bomb has killed two people in Beirut and wounded Lebanon's outgoing pro-Syrian Defense Minister Elias Murr.
Authorities say the bomb exploded as Mr. Murr's motorcade passed through an upscale neighborhood of embassies and diplomatic residences. Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed in a similar attack in Beirut five months ago.
At least 12 others were wounded in Tuesday's bombing, including the wife of Mexico's ambassador.
At the hospital, Mr. Murr said he is in good health, and he called on Lebanese to be steadfast as the nation undergoes what he called "a difficult period."
A U.S. embassy statement said the attackers were striving to undermine the faith of the Lebanese people in their government institutions. It also expressed confidence that the Lebanese will not be deterred.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
