At least 18 dead in Beirut blasts

Two explosions targeting the Iranian embassy hit the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, security sources said, killing at 18 people including the cultural attache at the Iranian embassy.

It was not immediately clear what caused the blasts. A security source said the blasts were caused by two rockets fired on the area, in the southern part of the city, but a second security source said there was a car bomb explosion.

Lebanon has seen several explosions and street clashes in Beirut and the northern city of Tripoli linked to the 2-1/2-year conflict in neighboring Syria.

There was no word on who was behind the blasts, but Syrian rebels have threatened to target President Bashar al-Assad's allies in neighboring Lebanon.

Shi'ite Iran has been bank-rolling Assad's fight against the mainly Sunni rebels and has given military support. It also supports the Shi'ite Muslim guerrilla group Hezbollah in Lebanon.