NEW : Prime Minister Mikati declares a day of mourning , but one man of action is needed . The blast in an East Beirut commercial district leaves mangled cars and charred buildings . The slain government official led a trial of a man accused of hiring would - be assassins . Mikati declared Saturday a day of national mourning in decrying the `` abominable crime '' in a statement . There are fears the attack could spur more violence between Shiite and Sunni Muslims .
NEW : Prime Minister Mikati declares a day of mourning , but one man of action is needed . The blast in an East Beirut commercial district leaves mangled cars and charred buildings . The slain government official led a trial of a man accused of hiring would - be assassins . There are fears the attack could spur more violence between Shiite and Sunni Muslims .