Grenade Blast in Akkar Causes Material Damage

A grenade placed under a rented car exploded at dawn Friday in the northern district of Akkar, causing material damage but no casualties, the state-run National News Agency reported.

NNA said the grenade was placed in a can and exploded at 4:00 am under a red Hyundai Accent owned by a car rentals company in the town of Bebnine.

The vehicle, which was rented by Jamal Mohammed al-Bustani, was parked near his house in al-Qate neighborhood, the agency said.

Internal Security Forces explosives expert Sgt. Michel Saad inspected the site of the blast and police launched an investigation to find the assailants.

In a related development, the front of a black Mercedes caught fire around 500 meters away from the blast scene.

NNA identified the car's owner as Mohammed Adnan al-Bustani.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

G.K.

M.T.