Explosions hit two mosques in Tripoli Friday. Security sources said that least 42 people were killed in the attacks. Earlier George Kettaneh, director of the Lebanese Red Cross, said more than 500 people had been injured. He added that many of the wounded "are in serious condition with burns and head wounds.

Both explosions happened as worshippers were leaving weekly Muslim prayers. Television footage showed people fleeing from the scene as thick black smoke billowed out of one of the mosques.

The first blast struck in the center of the predominantly Sunni Muslim city, while the second hit near the city's port. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The blasts came roughly a week after a car bomb in southern Beirut claimed the lives of at least 24 people and injured more than 200.

Sectarian violence has worsened in Lebanon in recent months as Sunni and Shiite groups have become more vocal in their support of the opposition and the Assad regime in neighboring Syria, respectively.

The Shiite-militant group, Hezbollah, in particular, has drawn both regional and international criticism for its involvement in combat alongside the Syrian military across the border.

kms,dr/mkg (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)