Security official: Suicide bomber detonates car at checkpoint in eastern Lebanon

BEIRUT – A senior Lebanese security official says a suicide bomber has detonated his car at a police checkpoint in eastern Lebanon. He says there are casualties.

The explosion occurred on Friday in the town of Dahr el-Baidar, at the entrance to eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. The official says was not immediately clear how many people were killed or wounded.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to media.

Syria’s civil war has spilled over into neighbouring Lebanon on multiple occasions and inflamed sectarian tensions. A series of car bombs have struck Shiite areas across Lebanon, killing dozens of people.

Friday’s explosion was the first in Lebanon in several months.