No Iranian diplomat, staff hurt in Wednesday Beirut bombing

  The Iranian embassy in Beirut announced that none of its staff members or diplomats has been hurt in the twin explosions that hit the Lebanese capital near Tehran’s Cultural Chancellery on Wednesday. Two explosions hit an area near the Kuwaiti embassy and the Iranian Cultural Chancellery in Beirut on Wednesday morning. Later in the day, the Iranian embassy underlined that all of its staff members are safe and sound. According to the initial reports, four people have been killed and 38 others wounded. The Abdullah Izzam Brigade has claimed responsibility for the blasts, saying it planned to target the Iranian cultural center. In a message on its Twitter account, the terrorist group said, "In a little while, God willing, there will be important announcements on the attack of the Iranian cultural centre in Beirut by your brothers in the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, from the Hussein Bin Ali cell." In December, the Lebanese security forces said they have arrested al-Majed, the Saudi ringleader of Abdullah Izzam Brigade which has claimed responsibility for the November 19 bombings, which left 23 dead. Later, a Lebanese army General, who spoke on the conditions of anonymity in line with regulations, said Al-Majed died in custody in Lebanon. The General said al-Majed died after suffering kidney failure. Political analysts believe that the supporters and financers of Abdullah Izzam terrorist group have killed al-Majed for the fear of the possible revelations he could make against the Saudi Takfiri groups and his masters. Also, other observers say that the Lebanese security forces had started al-Majed's interrogation before his death, but refrained from disclosing their information upon Riyadh’s request. Al-Majed, a Saudi citizen was detained in Lebanon late last month and had been held at a secret location. Al-Majed was announced as leader of the Brigades in 2012. The Abdullah Izzam Brigades was formed in 2009 and is believed to have branches in both the Arabian Peninsula and Lebanon, but may have been active as early as 2004. In 2009, Lebanon sentenced al-Majed in absentia to life in prison for belonging to a different extremist group, the Al-Qaeda-inspired Fatah al-Islam.