But Mr. Tarasov went on Friday to Baabda, a Christian suburb of Beirut, and met with General Aoun.

Mr. Murr, a Christian, was on his way to the Cabinet meeting when a car loaded with explosives was detonated in Antilias, a seaside Christian suburb.

"For me," a supporter explained at a rally by a highway underpass in a Christian suburb before the June 12 vote, "it is resistance to Jumblatt."

General Aoun, speaking to reporters at his bunker in Baabda, a Christian suburb of Beirut, vowed to keep up the struggle until all Syrian soldiers have left Lebanon.

The standoff began around 11 a.m. in Einkawa, a pleasant and predominantly Christian suburb of Erbil where many Western officials live and keep offices.

The American Ambassador, John McCarthy, met with General Aoun today at the general's bunker under the demolished presidential palace in Baabda, a Christian suburb.

The plan has been blocked by General Aoun, who is occupying the presidential palace in Baabda, a Christian suburb of Beirut.

A huge explosion shook the capital and surrounding areas today as butane gas tanks exploded in a Christian suburb after being hit by rockets.

Dora is a mainly Christian suburb of Beirut but Lebanese of other faiths also call the suburb home.

Baabda, a Christian suburb of the capital, is where General Aoun has his political and military headquarters.