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Iran Blames Israel for Twin Beirut Bombings

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JERUSALEM, Israel -- Two suicide bombers driving separate cars detonated their explosives-laden vehicles during Beirut's morning rush hour Wednesday, killing four people and injuring more than 100.

The twin bombings took place in a predominantly Shi'ite neighborhood in southern Beirut.

The Abdullah Azzam Brigades, an al Qaeda-linked Sunni terror cell, claimed responsibility for the carnage, saying it was in response to Hezbollah's support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

But Iran blamed Israel for the attacks, saying they were intended to destabilize the new government. The new government was announced this past weekend by Prime Minister Tammam Salam, following an 11-month hiatus without a cabinet. 

"Amid the positive atmosphere that followed the formation of the government, terrorism has struck a new blow to Lebanon through this bombing," Salam said in a statement condemning the bombings.

Preliminary reports estimated the vehicles were packed with 160 kilograms (about 80 pounds) of explosives. Eyewitnesses said the explosions reverberated throughout the area and a number of cars were burned up.

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