“The recurrent acts of terrorism and violence in Lebanon are totally unacceptable,” Ban's spokesperson said in a statement.

 

“The Secretary-General calls on all Lebanese parties to come together in support of their State institutions, particularly the security forces, and to strive for national unity as the best safeguard of Lebanon's security and stability in the face of terrorism,” the spokesperson added.

 

The car bombing, which is the second to strike the suburb of Haret Hreik this month, is “a further deeply disturbing act of indiscriminate terror,” said a statement issued by the office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Derek Plumbly.

 

“Such acts cannot be justified, and are contrary to the interests of all Lebanese,” said the statement, which added that those responsible for Tuesday's attack and all other acts of terrorism must be brought to justice as soon as possible.

 

The Special Coordinator called on all Lebanese to come together, and encouraged all steps that help reinforce national unity at this difficult time, including the recent momentum to form a new Government.

 

Later in the day, the Security Council issued a statement to the press strongly condemning the deadly terrorist attack, which “killed at least four people and injuring dozens,” and extended its condolences to the families of the victims and expressed sympathy “to all those injured in this heinous act” and to the Lebanese people and Government.

 

Reaffirming that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, the members of the Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

 

Recalling its Presidential Statement of July 10, 2013, the Council appealed to all Lebanese people to preserve national unity in the face of attempts to undermine the country's stability and stressed the importance “for all Lebanese parties to respect Lebanon's policy of disassociation and to refrain from any involvement in the Syrian crisis, consistent with their commitment in the Baabda Declaration.”

 

Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras