Beirut, Lebanon ? A car bomb blasted the motorcade of Lebanon’s outgoing pro-Syrian defense minister Tuesday, wounding him and killing one person in an attack that deepened fears of increasing violence.

The assassination attempt against Elias Murr was the latest in a string of bombings that have killed or wounded politicians and other prominent figures in Lebanon. But while the others targeted opponents of Syria – prompting accusations that Damascus was behind the killings – Tuesday’s explosion was the first to hit one of Syria’s strongest allies.

That heightened concerns of wider involvement in violence that has aggravated Lebanon’s political instability. With Syria’s domination crumbling after the withdrawal of its troops in the spring, its opponents in Lebanon are moving to take power while its allies struggle to retain influence.

The anti-Syrian camp has been trying to form a government after winning a majority in parliament, but haggling over the posts has held up the process.

Murr, appearing later on television from his hospital bed, urged Lebanese to close ranks and confront what he called “a conspiracy” to destabilize the country. Although appearing tired and breathing heavily, Murr seemed fine.

Lebanese army soldiers and police officers stand next to the damaged car of Lebanon's outgoing deputy Prime Minister Elias Murr on Tuesday in the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon. A car bomb hit the motorcade of Murr, son-in-law of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, slightly wounding him and killing at least one other person Tuesday, officials said.

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, staunchly pro-Syrian, has reportedly been pressing for Murr – his son-in-law, who is deputy prime minister and defense minister in the outgoing government – to be given a post in the Cabinet.

Lebanon’s prime minister-designate, Fuad Saniora, presented Lahoud a 30-member Cabinet lineup on Tuesday, but disclosed none of the names on his list, saying Lahoud promised to give his response today.

Murr, 43, was driving his own car in his motorcade through the northern Naqash district – a neighborhood of embassies and diplomatic residences – when a vehicle packed with up to 132 pounds of explosives detonated next to it.

The blast, heard across Beirut, knocked a crater in the pavement, shredded one vehicle in the motorcade and damaged several others. The attack vehicle was hurled over a stone wall.

Murr staggered out of his damaged vehicle, bloodied and leaning on passers-by who rushed to help, witnesses said. Twelve other people were wounded.