The bomb, placed in a Renault car at the southern entrance of Tripoli in North Lebanon, ripped through a military bus as it was heading toward the capital Beirut at 7:45 am (545 GMT) during the morning rush-hours, according to the TV report.
![]() |
Soldiers and policemen inspect the remains of a car after an explosion on the main road in Tripoli, northern Lebanon September 29, 2008. |
As there was no immediate claim of responsibility, the police and army troops sealed off the area and forensic experts began gathering evidence, according to the TV report.
Most local comment on the attack said it was aimed at undermining the army's bid to secure Tripoli which has been the scene of deadly sectarian violence in recent months when Sunni supporters of the government fought with opposition backed Alawites.
![]() |
Lebanese soldiers and policemen inspect a bus (L) after an explosion on the main road in Tripoli, northern Lebanon September 29, 2008. |
The head of Fattah al-Islam, Shaker al-Abssi who escaped the fighting, vowed earlier this year to revenge from the Lebanese army.
Earlier in August, an explosion also targeted a bus carrying Lebanese army soldiers in Tripoli. Some 14 soldiers were killed in the attack.
Tension in Lebanon's northern regions eased dawn in the past few weeks after the country's rival factions signed a reconciliation accord aimed at putting an end to the last 4 months clashes which left 23 people killed.
But the Monday morning explosion raised speculations about the security situation there.
In a statement, the Lebanese army described the bombing as a "terrorist attack aimed at undermining peace and stability efforts."
"Once again a treacherous hand strikes the military establishment in a terrorist attack aimed at undermining efforts at peace and stability," said the army statement.
Sunni majority leader Saad Hariri held that the Monday blast aims at weakening the state.
Shiite parliament Speaker Nabih Berri denounced that the bombing attack "aimed at scuttling measures towards reconciliation."
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman vowed Monday that "terrorism which is hitting the military establishment will not terrorize us, but will make us more determined to establish national reconciliation."
![]() |
Forensic inspectors examine the area around a bus that was hit by an explosion on the main road in Tripoli, northern Lebanon Sept. 29, 2008. |