Rice condemns Beirut terror blast

Updated 09.34 Wed Jan 16 2008

Keywords: Condoleezza Rice, Beirut

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has condemned a terroist bomb attack in Beirut which killed at least three people and wounded 16 more.

The bombers targeted a US diplomatic vehicle but no Americans were killed in the attack.

"The United States will of course not be deterred in its efforts to help the Lebanese people, to help the democratic forces in Lebanon, to help Lebanon resist foreign interference in their affairs" - Condoleezza Rice

The explosion sent a column of smoke into the sky, tore masonry from buildings and destroyed at least six cars in a Christian suburb north of Beirut, as well as damaging the armoured four-wheel-drive embassy car.

Dr Rice said: "I'd like to just state the outrage of the United States against the terrorist attack that took place in Lebanon.

"To the degree that there is any thought of intimidation in an attack of this kind, the United States will of course not be deterred in its efforts to help the Lebanese people, to help the democratic forces in Lebanon, to help Lebanon resist foreign interference in their affairs."

Dr Rice is travelling with US President George W Bush on his tour of the Middle East.

The President, who has arrived in Egypt on the final legt of the tour, is not visiting Lebanon but Washington has been a strong backer of the Beirut government in its power struggle with the Hezbollah-led opposition backed by Syria.

The Lebanese government put the death toll from the blast at three but the US State Department said the bomb killed four Beirut residents.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said: "There were no American diplomats or American citizens in the car at the time."

Lebanon has seen more than 30 explosions in the past three years, many hitting anti-Syrian politicians and journalists.