Car bomb kills top Lebanon army officer

Dubai: A powerful car bomb killed a top Lebanese army officer on Wednesday, sparking a chorus of condemnation and calls for a swift presidential vote.

The first attack to target the military could further complicate the political crisis in Lebanon, analysts said.

From Beirut to Washington officials insisted that the killing of Brigadier General Francois Al Haj by a car bomb should spur unity among politicians to elect a new president quickly.

"I urge all deputies to head quickly to parliament to elect a new president," a news agency quoted deputy parliament speaker Farid Makari as saying. The sentiment was echoed by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mu'allem.

The attack took place in the suburb of Baabda, site of the presidential palace, defence ministry and several embassies, a military spokesperson said.

While no group claimed responsibility for the killing, George Nassef, a columnist for An Nahar newspaper told Gulf News, "It was to settle scores between the Brigadier and Al Qaida and Fateh Al Islam," as the army has been engaged in battles with terrorist groups in the northern Lebanese camp for Palestinian refugees.

Al Haj, 55, was the leading candidate to replace army chief General Michel Sulaiman, who is set to be elected Lebanon's next president.

The blast came 24 hours after a parliament session to elect the army chief as Lebanon's president was postponed.

Lebanon has been without a president since incumbent Emile Lahoud ended his term on November 23, in the worst domestic crisis since the end of Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.