A powerful explosion rocked the Lebanese capital near the Phoenicia Hotel killing former Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah and 6 others

A powerful explosion rocked the Lebanese capital near the Phoenicia Hotel killing former Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah and 6 others.

The martyrdom of Shatah, who was ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s adviser, was announced by Al-Mustaqbal Movement. An identification paper showing the name of the ex-minister was located in the area of the blast.

The bodies of Shatah and his bodyguard were retrieved from the scene and transferred to Rafik Hariri University Hospital.

A huge plume of smoke was seen rising in the downtown Beirut area.

Reports said the blast was caused by a booby-trapped car. Civil defense and several ambulances rushed to the scene.