BEIRUT, Lebanon - Two pedestrians were slightly injured Sunday in a blast in Beirut’s Hamra district near the American University campus, which had probably been caused by a gas leak in a bakery, Lebanese police said.

Conflicting reports had earlier said the explosion occurred outside the American University in Beirut early Sunday, the pan-Arab television network Al Jazeera reported.

‘A loud thud was heard from inside the bakery,’ sid police brigadier Elie Baraadi, adding, ‘The explosives expert checked it out and should file a full report shortly.’

‘There’s a high probability - according to the experts - that it occurred because of a gas cylinder that was left on overnight,’ said Baraadi.

A senior police officer said a gas leak had probably caused the blast as the bakery contained a number of electric appliances.

News reports had earlier said the blast was a result of ‘a terrorist attack.’

Beirut is presently witnessing unrest following the pro-Syrian opposition ‘uprising’ aimed at toppling Prime Minister Fouad Seniora’s government.

Police had recently arrested seven pro-Syrian party members in possession of small arms, explosive devices, electric shock equipment used in detonators, timers and a stolen Jeep the colour of which had been changed and the number plates altered.

The incident prompted fears among Lebanese anti-Syrian forces of possible terror attacks despite an ongoing ‘feast truce.’

In the past days, the Hezbollah-led opposition and former General Michelle Aoun had demanded early elections in addition to a national unity government, threatening ‘civil disobedience’, if Seniora did not step down.

While there have no been no violent incidents between protestors and government supporters, the verbal war between the ruling March 14 Forces and the opposition continues.

Many observers deemed Arab League chief Amr Mussa’s visit to Lebanon and Syria this week to mediate between government and opposition leaders a ‘failure’ and fears of possible civil strife are increasing. -DPA