Lebanese army probes blast that rocked southern town (Roundup)

Oct 18, 2009, 9:52 GMT

Beirut - The Lebanese army was on Sunday investigating the cause of a blast that rocked the outskirts of the town of Houla in the south Lebanon overnight, radio reports said Sunday.

United Nations peacekeepers were also called out to the scene.

The blast occurred after the militant Shiite group Hezbollah discovered cables used for spying in the al-Abbad area near Israeli's border post, according to the report.

Two 50-metre cables were reportedly discovered in the area, one of which was used for wiretapping and the other for broadcasting.

Panic-stricken residents in Houla and the nearby Mais al-Jabal rushed to the streets after they heard the explosion, according to reports.

A Lebanese security source said the army had on Sunday detonated at least two more batteries connected with what he said was an Israeli espionage device that exploded overnight near Houla.

The Israeli Defence Forces fired warning shots on its side of the border in the al-Abbad area and carried out intensive patrols, prompting the Lebanese army to close all roads leading to Houla and Mais al-Jabal.

Last Monday, a blast hit Tayr Felsay village, east of the port city of Tyre. Israel said the blast occurred at a Hezbollah ammunition depot.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of hiding rockets in houses. Israel and Hezbollah fought a bloody month-long war in 2006 that claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people.