The state-run Lebanese News Agency said Brig. Gen. Francois al-Hajj and four others were killed when the roadside bomb detonated in Baabda, a Christian suburb east of Beirut, al-Jazeera reported. Dozens more were wounded in the blast, which occurred near the presidential palace during the busy morning rush hour, Alalam Satellite TV said.

Hajj was considered to be the top contender to become the next commander of the army should the current leader, Gen. Michel Suleiman, be elected president. The attack came after Lebanon's lawmakers on Tuesday postponed, for an eighth time, a vote to elect Suleiman as a compromise president.

Pro- and anti-Syrian lawmakers are near deadlock over electing a new president. CNN reported that although there is general agreement on Suleiman filling the vacant presidency, political maneuvering has prevented an actual vote being taken.