UN chief, Security Council strongly condemn Beirut terrorist car bombing

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon and the UN Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned a car bomb attack in the Lebanese capital of Beirut that killed at least six people and wounded 70 others.

Ban called on all parties in Lebanon to show restraint following the second car bombing in less than a week, said a statement issued by his spokesperson. "This act follows the terrible bombing on 27 December and further reflects a deeply worrying escalation in the violence witnessed in Lebanon in recent months," he said.

On Thursday afternoon, a booby trapped car exploded in the Bir El Abd neighborhood in southern Beirut, marking the fourth attack to hit Beirut's southern suburbs since July.

"The Secretary-General calls on all Lebanese parties to act with restraint and for the Lebanese people to come together to support the institutions of the state, particularly the army and security forces, as they work to prevent other acts of terrorism and to safeguard the stability and security of their country," the statement said.

The UN chief underlined the need for the instigators and perpetrators of "this crime" to be brought to justice as soon as possible. He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Lebanon and, wished those injured a swift recovery.

In a separate statement, the Security Council also underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable," the statement said.

The council members reaffirmed the need to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Beirut has been hit by several deadly attacks over the past months, including twin suicide bombings in November that targeted the Iranian embassy.

Last Friday, a car bomb in the heart of the capital killed former Finance Minister Mohammad Shatah and at least five others, an attack that Ban and the UN Security Council said underlined the need to protect Lebanon's stability in the face of such terrorism and the civil war in neighboring Syria.

The raging war in Syria has deeply divided the Lebanese and triggered political tensions and sectarian clashes in the country.