snapped shot

Abu Kais is reporting that another bomb has exploded in Beirut, this time onboard a bus outside of an abandoned building. No word on the damage or casualties yet - I'll be following up when I learn more.

Update: According to LBC, 7 were injured, none are reported dead. Still waiting on details.

Update: Sometimes, you have to hit faraway sources to get the news. I still haven't seen word one about this bombing on CNN, nor on the front pages of Google or Yahoo news.

But in the evening a bomb ripped through a public bus in Christian east Beirut wounding at least seven of the people on board, a security source said.

The explosion in the mixed residential and industrial district of Sed al-Baushrieh was the fourth to rock Lebanon since the clashes between the army and the Islamists broke out on May 20.

Footage broadcast by Lebanese television showed that the bus had been burned out by the force of the explosion.

Several parked cars and the facade of a nearby shopping centre were also badly damaged.

AFP's on the story, at least. Still waiting for the photo wires to catch up.

Update: Photos are starting to come in. I'll be posting them shortly.



Update (5-Jun): The latest pictures have been added from the wire. Continue reading »

In the midst of the Lebanese army's continuing battle with Fatah al-Islam in the northern city of Tripoli, a second explosion has rocked the capital city of Beirut, this time hitting the predominantly Sunni suburb of Verdun. Is this Bashir al-Assad's continued attempt to destabilize Lebanon in preparation of a return of the Syrian army? It's looking more and more like that's the case every passing day...

The wires are thankfully reporting that nobody has been killed in this bombing, unlike the previous one.



I'll be tracking the pictures of this latest tragedy beyond the fold. Continue reading »

There appear to be reports that a bomb has been set off outside of a shopping mall in a northern suburb of Beirut early on Sunday morning (Lebanon time). It's odd that the blast went off so late—considering how valuable high-casualty targets are to terrorists.



I've gathered all of the pictures available at this time in the extended body of this article, for your reference.

See-Also:

The following bloggers are covering this story in greater detail: From Beirut to the Beltway, Beirut Spring, Captain's Quarters, Hot Air

Continue reading »

See if you can catch what all of these pictures have in common.









I've got the big reveal, following the fold! Continue reading »

Okay, so for weeks we've heard that Hezbullah will be out in the streets en force today, to protest the "pro-Western" Lebanese government and otherwise make life miserable for those opposed to Syria's puppet reign.

Now that photographs are pouring in, we get to see shots like this:


Compare this to previous Hezbullah rallies, and see if you can make out the difference:


As has been noted fairly extensively, Hezbullah is very adept at manipulating the media. The fact that these protesters are so blatantly identifying themselves as "Lebanese"--rather than identifying themselves with the usual Hezbullah, Iranian, and Syrian flags--it is apparent to me that Hezbullah has sent out a little internal memo to its rally organizers, instructing them that it would be most prudent to wrap themselves in the Lebanese flag, to couch the argument in terms that they're somehow "reclaiming" the Lebanese government for themselves.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Hezbullah remains a group whose strings are pulled by the Opthamologist and Dr. Spongebob Nuclearpants. To consider them even remotely pro-Lebanese is farsical at best.

One other possibility here, just as an aside: According to the pro-Lebanese website From Beirut to the Beltway, the March 14th (thanks, Austin) group is planning massive demonstrations in Beirut today as well, to counter the Hezbullah invaders (and really, what better word is there for a group of the population that intends to turn control of one's nation over to a neighboring nation?). It's possible, but not likely, that we're actually looking at a group of March 14th'ers here. The reason I would suggest that this is Hezbullah-in-drag, though, is that most of the signs in the crowd are in Arabic, not generally the language employed by March 14.

As always, events in Lebanon are complex. Hopefully, my Lebanese compatriots can continue to update us with their side of what's going on over there. Stay safe, y'all!

For extensive Lebanon coverage: Jeha's Nail, From Beirut to the Beltway, Free Cedar.

I know I've been silent on the latest AP scandal--and I have a good reason for being so! Everyone else has covered it extensively already, and I don't really have anything insightful to add to their brilliant observations! What can I say? Kurt at Flopping Aces has done a spectacular job of tossing some egg at the AP's face -- or rather, pointing out the egg that the AP put there itself!

To make up for it, here's a "Flatima" wannabe sighting, following the break, from today's Hezbullah rally. Enjoy! (If you read Arabic, I'd be delighted to hear a translation for the sign behind our dear Flatima impersonator!)

UPDATE: I'm not the only person who noticed the conspicuous absence of that disgusting yellow flag. Howdy, GatewayPundit! It's good to be in esteemed company such as yours!

Update: Extensive coverage from Abu Kais at From Beirut to the Beltway, cross-posted at Michael Totten's website. Continue reading »