Details added, first version posted at 12:08
At least five people, including a former government minister, were killed Friday in an explosion in the centre of Beirut, police said, dpa reported.
Former finance minister Mohammed Shattah and his bodyguard were killed in the blast that rocked a seaside area of Beirut, the state National News Agency reported.
Shattah was also an adviser to Saad al-Hariri, a former prime minister known for his criticism of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The explosion was caused by a car bomb and coincided with a meeting of anti-Syrian politicians, according to media reports.
At least 15 people were injured, George Kettneh, the head of the Lebanese Red Cross, said.
Television footage showed cars in flames and bloodied people being carried to ambulances.