(AFP) Lebanon grappled Sunday with the consequences of another bomb blast in a Christian neighborhood that opposition figures charged was work of security services trying to foment sectarian unrest at a moment of high political tension.

The explosion late Saturday was the third bomb attack in a Christian neighborhood in a week and the second in which Indian workers were among the victims.

Six people were wounded, two Indian workers and four Lebanese, an investigating judge said Sunday, revising down an earlier report of two deaths.

"Fortunately there were no deaths and only six injured, even though the explosive device was large, about 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of TNT," investigating judge Jean Fahd told LBCI television.

The explosion occurred as political life remained deadlocked in a standoff between pro-Syrian authorities and an energized opposition determined to end Syria's near 30-year role as Lebanon's power broker once and for all.

Opposition politicians again pointed a finger at the security services controlled by the government, accusing them of seeking to foment confessional unrest as Syria withdraws its troops from the country.

Some opposition MPs and outside observers have speculated that the recent spate of attacks is aimed at provoking instability in order to justify a continued Syrian military presence.

The US State Department condemned the latest attack and called on Lebanese authorities "to exercise their responsibility to the Lebanese people to provide for their security and to identify and bring to justice those responsible for these acts."

A police officer said Saturday's explosion in an industrial area near Dekouaneh was caused by a car bomb, although other reports said the device had been placed under a vehicle. The explosion set several buildings ablaze in what one witness described as "an apocolyptic sight."

Beirut has been on edge since 11 people were wounded when a bomb exploded beneath a car in Jdeide March 19, an attack that was followed by a blast in Kaslik north of here on Wednesday that killed three, including two Indian nationals.

"It's a provocation against civil peace," said opposition leader Walid Jumblatt of the latest blast, the third since the February 14 assassination of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri.

That killing stunned the nation and set in motion events that led to the resignation of the pro-Syrian prime minister and prompted Syria to begin calling home its troops from Lebanon.

A UN spokesman said that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had also condemned the attack. "He calls upon the government of Lebanon to act rapidly to prevent the security situation from deteriorating."

Jumblatt later held talks with Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Shiite militia Hezbollah, saying afterwards that disarmament of the group was not on the agenda, while also making concilitary remarks towards Syria.

"We are still attached to protecting the resistance. Later, through dialogue and after obtaining the necessary essential guarantees, we will open up the question of arms," he said.

Jumblatt also spoke of the need for "privileged relations" with Syria, which is pulling out its 14,000 troops from Lebanon after criticism of its role in the country following the assassination of Hariri.

"It's true that holding the elections is important for us, they are in our interest and certain people are trying to force a delay, but we will not allow, despite this wave of enthusiasm, that there is a new parliament hostile to the resistance and Syria," he said.

"Syria is in the process of pulling out its troops. President Bashar al-Assad has acknowledged errors. We need to open a new page with Syria.

"We cannot enter into an era of chauvinism and hostility between two peoples and the two countries."