Second explosion in less than 24 hours

The second explosion in Beirut in less than 24 hours burst in the newly inaugurated Charles Helou public transport station, last night. Travelers and employees at the station miraculously escaped injury and the only damage was broken glass and electricity cables.

The explosion, which took place at 8:00 p.m., was caused by a hand grenade placed in an unused lobby. Security officers set checkpoints in the Beirut port area near the station while investigators rushed to search for clues. Bassam Abdel Malak, general manager at the station, estimated damages, which he said were mainly shattered glass and steel, at around $2,000.

The Charles Helou station houses cars and buses traveling mainly between Beirut and Damascus.

Interior minister Michel Murr called for an emergency meeting of the central security council today afternoon, to take the necessary measures.

The explosion is the second one in 18 hours in Beirut. Damage was caused when dynamite exploded on the American University of Beirut (AUB) campus, Monday night.

The Lebanese official TV station, Tele Liban, blamed the Israelis for the incident in question. The education committee chairwoman at the Lebanese Parliament, Bahie Hariri, also said that Israel was involved in the AUB incident.

Official American sources reported, meanwhile, that Washington is upset about the explosion but would prefer to wait before commenting.

Lebanese Minister of justice Dr. Bahuj Tabbara said in a statement that Lebanese security bodies are working to unveil the persons who carried out this attack, stressing that the Lebanese state will apply firm measures against those who threaten the society's security.