The state news agency says a bombing in central Beirut has killed five people, including a senior aide to former Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri.


It says Mohammed Chatah and his driver were both killed in the powerful explosion early Friday in downtown Beirut. Chatah served as finance minister in Hariri's government, then as his senior adviser after Hariri lost the premiership in early 2011.


It says three other people were also killed and more than 15 wounded.