A large explosion has been reported in the Baabda-Hadath district of Lebanon, just south-east of the capital. According to emerging reports, the explosion took place at approximately 7:00 am (local time) near the Baabda municipal building.

News services have reported between four and six dead along with dozens wounded. News services have also reported the strong possibility that the explosion may have been due to a car-bomb. Several cars in the vicinity of the explosion were completely destroyed, with debris scattered over a large area. A large plume of smoke could be seen rising over the site of the explosion.

A security cordon has now been established around the site of the explosion. The wounded have been taken to the Saint Charles Hospital, the Baabda Hospital, and Qalb Yassou3 Hospital.

The Baabda district is home to the country's Presidential Palace, the current center-stage for the country's ongoing crisis.

Brigadier General Francois el Hajj has been confirmed as the target of today's assassination (via the Baabda explosion). Hajj's body was discovered some 150 meters from the site of the explosion. He was rumored to be a serious contender [along with Chief of Military Intelligence, George Khoury] to succeed Michel Suleiman in the post of Army Commander. Hajj's current post within the Army was Chief of Operations.