Bomb Kills 3 in Lebanon on Same Day Major Trial Opens

A major trial revolving around the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Harriri is starting today. The trial is likely to point the finger at elements of the Syrian government and Hezbollah. On the same day a blast killed three. It may have been retaliation against the Shia community.

The bombing is the latest in a string of attacks in civilian areas across Lebanon that many have interpreted as targeting groups backing opposite sides in the civil war in neighboring Syria. Hermel is a primarily Shiite town and Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group and political party that supports the Syrian government, has a strong presence there.