Egypt, Lebanon hit by 5.6 quake

Residents of Beirut and the Lebanese coast on Monday experienced a 5.6-magnitude earthquake. Lebanon’s state-run Bhannes Center for Seismic and Scientific Research said that Beirut and its suburbs felt the minor quake, of which the epicentre was located between Cyprus and the Greek island of Rhodes. The quake was also felt in Egypt, reported al-Arabiya television. The last earthquake felt in Beirut dates back to June 10 when a 6-magnitude tremor hit Greece. A 5.5-magnitude earthquake was felt on May 11 by the residents of the capital and some towns in Zahle, Mount Lebanon, Nabatiyeh, Sidon, Tyre and Tripoli, LBC reported, citing information provided by Lebanon’s state-run Bhannes seismic centre. The quake struck some 130 kilometres off the coast of Beirut and was also felt by the residents of neighbouring Cyprus, the centre said.