BEIRUT, July 12: Defence Minister Elias al Murr climbed out of the window of his burning Porsche Cayenne after the bomb blast nearly killed him and hailed the driver of the first passing car who took him to hospital.

“When the explosion happened, we couldn’t see anything. Then I saw fire and felt electric shock inside the car,” the 43-year minister told LBC television.

“I found the officer with me and my bodyguard unconscious. The doors were locked and I couldn’t get them out. The car was on fire so I jumped out of my broken window,” he said.

“A kind lady stopped and took me to hospital,” said Mr Murr, who underwent surgery to remove shrapnel from his hands and treatment to burns in his head.

Mr Murr is a lawyer by training. Unlike many Lebanese politicians, he did not directly take part in the 1975-1990 civil war, whose wounds still run deep in Lebanese society.

He called for reconciliation from his hospital bed.

“This is part of continuous conspiracy. Our reaction should be national unity,” he said. “Trading accusations will only create more excuses for those behind the explosions.” —Reuters