An explosion on Saturday in the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, targeted a Hamas leader and killed at least one person, the local media said.

The blast occurred in the suburb of Haret Hreik, which is considered a stronghold of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and also houses offices of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The official state news agency NNA reported that three bombs tied in a bundle had been placed under a car owned by a Hamas member.

According to the NNA, the explosion, which came on the eve of Ashoura, Shiite Islam's most important religious holiday, killed at least one person and injured several others.

"One of the injured persons is said to be in a critical condition," the NNA said.

Meanwhile, the Now Lebanon agency said "Hezbollah security forces have blocked off the area surrounding the explosion," making it difficult for reporters to confirm the cause of the blast and the number of casualties.

"Initial reports said the explosion was targeting a Hamas leader," the agency reported.

DAMASK, December 27 (RIA Novosti)