Lebanese civil defense workers and firefighters inspect the car that exploded for any possible casualties in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, July 22, 2005. A bomb exploded on a busy Beirut street known for its restaurants, bars and nightlife late Friday, wounding two persons, security officials said. The blast came hours after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice left Beirut after a surprise visit in support of Lebanon's new government. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) To view More Pictures pls click READ MORE AP - Jul 22 1:57 PM

BEIRUT, Lebanon - A bomb exploded on a narrow street crowded with bars and restaurants late Friday, wounding 12 people just hours after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited the area, officials said. The blast, from a bomb placed near a car parked in front of a restaurant, panicked the hundreds of people dining or smoking water pipes in the bustling sidewalk cafes on popular Monot Street. Lebanese families and Arab tourists, including black-veiled women visiting from the Gulf, scattered.Three cars were damaged by the 50-pound bomb. Security and hospital officials said 12 people were wounded.Lebanon has seen a string of bomb assassinations of politicians and other figures in recent months

BEIRUT (Reuters) – A loud explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut wounded seven people near a busy street of restaurants and bars …

By ANNE GEARAN, BEIRUT, Lebanon - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit to volatile Lebanon under heavy guard Friday to encourage a new democratic government outside Syrian control. Rice was meeting with officials of the new government that emerged from a season of political change following the assassination of an anti-Syrian politician."This will be an opportunity first of all to congratulate the Lebanon people on their incredible desire for democracy," Rice said en route to Beirut.Rice's visit comes three days after formation of a new Cabinet led by Prime Minister-designate Foud Saniora."They keep pressing forward and they have now formed a government," Rice said. "I look forward to meeting and see how the international community and the United States in particular can be supportive."Rice is the first senior U.S. official to visit Beirut in more than two years. Official sources said she would meet the country's top officials, including President Emile Lahoud. Her visit comes three days after a new Lebanese government was formed following last month's parliamentary elections.She arrived from Jerusalem, home base for a long weekend of talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders that included a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at his desert ranch Friday morning.The Lebanese opposition blamed Syria and its agents for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in February.