Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has accused what he called "enemies of Lebanon" of carrying out a bomb attack that killed two people and slightly injured Defense Minister Elias Murr.
Twelve others were also wounded in the explosion. The U.S. State Department and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan also condemned Tuesday's bombing -- which took place as the minister's motorcade passed through an upscale neighborhood.
A similar attack in February killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a fierce opponent of Syrian influence in Lebanon. Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon under strong international pressure afterwards -- but has denied any role in Mr. Hariri's killing. Separately, Prime Minister-designate Fouad Siniora presented his new cabinet on Tuesday to Mr. Lahoud, several weeks after a coalition of parties critical of Syria won Lebanon's parliamentary elections.