Explosion hits near Hezbollah base in east Lebanon

BEIRUT: A suicide car bomb went off near a Hezbollah base in eastern Lebanon early on Tuesday, officials said, the latest in a wave of deadly attacks that have targeted the militant group´s interests in Lebanon.

The Lebanese National News Agency said the bomber detonated his vehicle in the remote area of eastern Bekaa Valley near the village of Sbouba in the Baalbek region, about two kilometers (a mile) from a base belonging to the Iranian-backed group.

The report said the explosion caused an unspecified number of casualties among Hezbollah members and civilians.

The bombing appeared to be related to a series of reprisal attacks over Hezbollah´s role in the civil war in neighboring Syria, where fighters from the group are fighting alongside President Bashar Assad´s troops. The group has received threats of retaliation from the largely rebels fighting to topple him.

Hezbollah´s Al-Manar TV confirmed the blast took place near one of the group´s bases, but said there were no casualties. It did not provide further information. A Lebanese security official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, confirmed the explosion but said there was no immediate word on the nature of the target or casualties.