BEIRUT
By Hamza Takeen
The death toll from twin bombings that rocked a southern Beirut suburb on Wednesday has risen to six, the Lebanese Health Ministry has confirmed.
Two bombings, which took place near the Iranian cultural chancellery, also left more than 129 people injured, the ministry added in a statement.
It said most of the injured had already left hospitals, whereas four victims are in intensive care units.
The blasts severely damaged property and cars parked in the area, which is a stronghold of the Shiite militant group Hezbollah.
A security source told Anadolu Agency earlier that the twin blasts had likely been carried out by suicide bombers driving a car and a motorbike, adding that investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the blasts.
Another security source, noting the wide blast radius, said the two explosions could have been caused by two booby-trapped cars.
Body parts found at the two blast sites suggested the possible involvement of suicide bombers.
Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam has dismissed the "terrorist" bombings as part of a scheme to "sow death in Lebanon."
"This new blow to Lebanon comes amid the positive atmosphere that saw the birth of a new government," he added.
"We will respond [to the attacks] with solidarity, unity, commitment to civil peacefulness and support for our army and security forces," the premier said.
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