BEIRUT (Reuters/AFP) - A Sunni Islamist group calling itself the Brigades of Aisha claimed responsibility on Thursday for an explosion in southern Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, saying it targeted the militant group Hezbollah, and promising more attacks.

"This is the second time that we decide the place of the battle and its timing... And you will see more, God willing," said a masked man, flanked by two others brandishing rifles, in a video statement addressed to Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

At least 14 people were killed and more than 200 wounded in the explosion, which struck the southern Beirut stronghold of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group on Thursday, the national news agency NNA said.

"Preliminary reports say the bodies of 10 people... were taken to Sahel hospital, as well as 42 wounded, while four bodies... and 100 wounded were taken to Rasul al-Aazam hospital," it said.

NNA, quoting security sources, said another 50 wounded were taken to other hospitals.

An army statement said the cause of the explosion was a car bomb. The blast engulfed several vehicles in flames and trapped many people in nearby buildings that were damaged in the explosion.