Ban condemns bombing in Beirut suburb

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday condemned the car bombing earlier today in the southern Beirut suburb of Haret Hraik, noting that the recurrence of "terrorist" acts in Lebanon is "unacceptable," his press office said in a statement. The apparent suicide bombing in a Shiite neighbourhood of Beirut killed at least five people and injured scores more. It is the third in less than a month. "The recurrent acts of terrorism and violence in Lebanon are totally unacceptable. 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 statement said. Ban extended his condolences to the families of the victims and to the Lebanese Government and people, and called for the perpetrators of this "heinous" crime to be brought to justice.