Lebanese soldier killed in explosion in north

A Lebanese soldier was killed by an explosion at dawn Saturday in the north of the country, the military said.

It did identify the cause of the blast by privately owned Future TV reported that the blast was caused by an explosive planted at an army position in the town of Abdeh. A military statement identified the victim as Osama Ahmed Hassan, 24.

Lebanon is recovering from sectarian clashes that left 81 dead and ended with an Arab League-brokered political agreement between feuding factions and the election of the army commander as head of state.

Abdeh is near the devastated Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr el-Bared, where fighting between troops and al-Qaida-inspired Islamic militants erupted a year ago. Hundreds died before the army crushed the rebellion three months later.

The army sealed off the area, blocking roads leading to the targeted position, which is on the main highway to Syria, some eight miles from the border.

The same place was hit by Israeli warplanes during the summer 2006 war between Hezbollah militants and Israeli.