National day of mourning in Lebanon in wake of Beirut bombing

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese security officials say angry protesters have closed roads around the country to protest the bombing that killed a top security official and seven other people.

Lebanon’s government declared a national day of mourning Saturday for the victims that included Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan, head of the intelligence division of Lebanon’s domestic security forces.

Friday’s explosion in Beirut’s mainly Christian Achrafieh neighborhood wounded dozens.

The officials say protesters in mostly Sunni Muslim areas closed roads Saturday in Beirut, the southern city of Sidon, the northern city of Tripoli and several towns in the eastern Bekaa Valley.

The highway linking central Beirut with the city’s international airport was closed, as well as the highway that links the capital with Syria, the officials said on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.