Updated

Lebanese security officials say hundreds of troops are conducting search operations in Mount Lebanon after an explosion was heard in the area.

The officials say the nature of the explosion is not clear. It was heard in the capital, Beirut, and Mount Lebanon early Friday. No one was reported hurt.

Local media reports said it was either an exploding rocket or an electricity cable that blew up.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the blast centered near the predominantly Christian town of Kahaleh, southeast of Beirut.

Kahaleh is near the Lebanese presidential palace.

The blast comes during rising tensions between Lebanese who support and oppose Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Last month, two rockets slammed into a Hezbollah stronghold south of Beirut, wounding four.