BEKAA, Lebanon

A local official was killed early Wednesday in a blast that struck a bus in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa city.

The bombing took place in Bekaa’s Al-Ain district, located 20 kilometers west of Syrian border, killing Khaled Ali Houri -- the deputy mayor of the same district -- and severely injuring his cousin.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Mayor of Al-Ain district Zakaria Nasereddin denied what was published by some Lebanese media platforms that the bombing came as a result of a dispute occurred between the slain and some people.

Nasereddin went on to say that “I don’t understand why some journalists put themselves in the shoes of official investigators as they hurried to identify the causes behind the blast.”

“We strongly condemn this crime and our only consolation is the Lebanese government's stand against the criminals and perpetrators of such crimes,” he added.

The security forces have cordoned off the blast scene, lifted fingerprints and opened an investigation into the incident.

Reporting by Asmaa Breidi; Writing by Ali H. M.Abo Rezeg