Three people were killed and 20 were injured when a car bomb exploded Wednesday less than 100 yards from the Israeli Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Cypriot authorities stated officially that the embassy was the intended target of the explosive-laden vehicle. No Israelis were hurt by the blast.
Two of the dead were passers-by and the third was the driver of the vehicle. An Arab of undisclosed nationality has been detained for questioning, the Interior Ministry announced in Nicosia. The announcement said the detainee entered Cyprus six weeks ago.
The Abu Nidal dissident faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization reportedly told NBC News in New York it was responsible for the attack to avenge the assassination of the PLO’s second in command, Khalil al-Wazir, in Tunis on April 16.
Wazir, also known as Abu Jihad, was allegedly the victim of an Israeli hit squad, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied this.
Officials in Nicosia said the driver of the death car had twice attempted to park in front of the Israeli Embassy, but was ordered away by a police guard. The car exploded while crossing a bridge close by.
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