Deadly Lebanon blast in Beirut stronghold of Hezbollah

At least seven people have been killed by a large explosion in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut, with at least 11 reported wounded.

The area contains strongholds of the Shia militant movement Hezbollah.

The explosion happened in a densely populated part of the capital. Heavy damage was reported to nearby buildings and cars.

The blast is being linked to the conflict in Syria, which has worsened sectarian tensions in Lebanon.

Plumes of smoke rose over the area where the blast occurred, between the Bir Abed and Rweiss districts of the city.

Footage from the aftermath of the blast showed chaos in the area

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel confirmed that the blast was the result of a car bomb, the Lebanese Daily Star newspaper reports.

The bomb seems to have gone off between two apartment buildings, the BBC's Jim Muir reports from the scene.

The street is jammed with ambulances and fire trucks, our correspondent reports.

Few would doubt the blast is a result of Hezbollah's involvement in the conflict in Syria, he says.

Last month, a bomb in a nearby area injured more than 50.