Bomb in Christian area of Lebanon

The blast happened next to a Christian radio station

At least one person has been killed in an explosion in Lebanon's Christian heartland, security sources said.

More than seven people were reported injured in the blast, near the centre of the port town of Jounieh.

It was the latest in a string of bombs in Christian areas. Three people were killed in a bomb in Jounieh in March.

The latest attack comes on the eve of the return of the anti-Syrian Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun, after 14 years in exile in France.

The cause of the blast was not immediately known, but police were seen checking the mangled remains of a car parked in an alleyway between a Christian radio station and a church.

The two-storey building housing the Sawt al Mahaba radio station was destroyed and the adjacent Mar Yuhanna Church suffered massive damage, an AFP photographer said.

A female Sri Lankan worker was reportedly killed and three Egyptian nationals were among the wounded.

One radio station worker was pulled to safety after being buried for more than two hours in the rubble.

Condemnation

Condemning the attack, President Emile Lahoud noted that it came on the eve of "important political developments" in Lebanon.

On Saturday, a mass rally is due to be held in Beirut to celebrate the return of Christian hardliner Michel Aoun from exile.

He was expelled by Syrian troops more than 14 years ago.

"This is an attempt to terrorise the Lebanese in order to stop them from fighting with determination for a free and sovereign Lebanon," Mr Aoun told private LBC television in Paris.

Lebanon has been in turmoil since the death in February of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a bomb attack that led to mass anti-Syrian protests.

Many people in Lebanon blamed Damascus for the assassination.

Following intense international pressure, Syria agreed to pull out its troops from Lebanon.

Damascus says the withdrawal was completed on 26 April, ending its 29-year military presence in the country.

Lebanese parliamentary elections have been set for 29 May.