Beirut bombing

An unknown Sunni group has claimed responsibility for a car-bomb explosion that has killed at least 22 people in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Thursday’s explosion struck near a facility used by Hezbollah, the Shia political party and armed group that in recent months has become increasingly and more publicly involved in the conflict in neighbouring Syria.

Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, declared Friday a national day of mourning, and called on the Higher Defence Council to hold a meeting.