Jumblatt ( picture right) , a fierce opponent of Syrian influence in Lebanon, also accused Damascus of backing militants who have since Sunday been battling Lebanese army troops at a Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon.

Syria denies links to the group, Fatah al-Islam, which has been fighting with the Lebanese army around Nahr al-Bared camp.

"Unfortunately I expect that the explosions will increase," Jumblatt told reporters in Beirut, where bombs exploded in the evenings of Sunday and Monday, killing one person.

Jumblatt, along with his allies in the governing coalition, accuse Damascus of orchestrating a series of attacks in Lebanon, including assassinations of anti-Syrian leaders such as former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in 2005.

The United States, France and Britain last week circulated a draft U.N. resolution that would set up an international tribunal for suspects in the attacks.

A U.N. inquiry into the killing has implicated Syria and Lebanese officials in the Hariri killing. Damascus denies involvement.

Verdun district where the second bomb exploded in Beirut yesterday is home to Information Minister Ghazi al-Aridi, who at the time was giving a press briefing at the premier's office on an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss deadly clashes between the army and Islamists. Aridi is a member of the Democratic Gathering parliamentary group which is headed by Jumblatt and is also a member of the Progressive Socialist party ( PSP) also headed by Jumblatt. Some observers viewed the Verdun bombing as a warning to Jumblatt

Sources: Reuters, Ya Libnan