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2006-03-07 Africa North
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Third blast hits Ethiopian capital
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ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - A third blast struck the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Tuesday, exploding outside the gate of a hotel and tourism training center, a Reuters witness said. No one was injured in the blast, which damaged a small guard shack at the gate. It followed two other explosions earlier in the city. One outside a restaurant injured four people, while another in a market caused no injuries.
Additional: ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Three explosions shook the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Tuesday, injuring at least four people, in what police called an attempt by unknown culprits to "disrupt the peace and tranquility of the nation".
One blast hit the Lalibela restaurant in the southern part of the city, extensively damaging the structure. Restaurant manager Asnketch Makaonnen said the explosion was caused by a bomb planted in a flower pot outside. "I was in my office when I heard the explosion. I came to the restaurant and I found it filled with smoke. We tried to lead the clients through the back door," Makaonnen said. "Luckily none of the restaurant staff were injured except four pedestrians," she added.
Another explosion struck a market, also in the south of the city, damaging a bookstore and auto parts shop. Police said the device was hidden in a rubbish bin. There were no injuries. A third, later blast occurred outside the gate of a hotel and tourism training center in the city center, damaging a cafeteria inside. No one was injured in the blast, which also damaged a small guard shack at the gate. Police surrounded all three sites and investigators sifted through the debris.
Ethiopia has been hit by a series of violent protests in which more than 80 people have died since elections in May, which the opposition says were rigged.
Top opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leaders were among 131 people charged with treason and planning to commit genocide stemming from those protests.
In January, several public buildings and hotels in Addis Ababa were damaged by explosive devices planted by unknown people. One of the four people injured in the restaurant blast was released from hospital. Two others were admitted with shrapnel wounds to their legs and faces. The fourth was being treated for head injuries.
A statement released by Addis Ababa police and read on state radio described the explosions as the work of "anti-peace elements to disrupt the peace and tranquility of the country". The statement appealed to the nation to cooperate with the investigation but offered no hint as to who might be behind the attacks.
Last month the Federal Police Anti-Terrorism Taskforce issued a statement saying it had foiled a plot to "unleash armed urban terrorism" in the capital by a group linked to the CUD. The statement said authorities seized a cache of dynamite, bombs and small arms. 
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Posted by Steve 2006-03-07 09:18||
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