Bomb wounds four in Christian area near Beirut

ZALKA, Lebanon - A bomb has exploded in a Christian area north of Beirut, wounding at least four people, Lebanese security and Red Cross sources said.

The device, placed in a plastic bag just outside a commercial centre in the Zalka area, blew out the walls of the building, strewing the area with rubble, twisted metal and glass.

"We were sitting in this cafe when suddenly the glass shattered all over us," said Georges Yazbeck. "We didn't know what had happened."

A series of bombings has hit Lebanon since the February assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, which many Lebanese blamed on Syria. Damascus denies any role.

It was not clear who was targeted by the explosion.

Aid workers picked through the rubble of the commercial centre which includes a hotel, cafes and shops. They treated at least four people on site, the Red Cross said.

The device weighed no more than 5kgs, the security source said, but it caused panic among residents.

"I was sitting on the balcony with my children when we saw a flash and heard a loud noise," said Fadi Yacoub.

"The kids fell about screaming. We were all covered with dust and broken glass."

Five bombs have killed at least four people and wounded around 50 in Christian areas since the killing of Hariri plunged Lebanon into its worst political crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.

Syria withdrew its forces from Lebanon in late April under pressure from the international community and large Lebanese street protests, sparked by Hariri's killing.

A United Nations team investigating Hariri's killing has asked for an extension of its mandate, UN officials say.

- REUTERS