UN security council strongly condemns terrorist attacks in Lebanon

The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks which occurred in vicinity of an Iranian cultural center in Beirut, Lebanon, on Wednesday. The militant Abdullah Azzam Brigades, a faction widely believed to be affiliated with Al-Qaeda organization, has claimed responsibility for the attack which killed at least six people and wounded more than 100, including children. The Iranian embassy was attacked last November. The Council's President Ambassador Raimonda Murmokait of Lithuania said in a press statement, late on Wednesday, that the members reaffirmed the need to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. Murmokait also expressed the Council's condolences to the families of the victims and sympathy to all those injured in these "heinous" acts, and to the Lebanese people and Government She said the members also 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, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. The Council commended the commitment of the new government to maintain security and stability in Lebanon, and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice. It 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, refraining from any involvement in the Syrian crisis, consistent with their commitment in the Baabda Declaration.