UNSC strongly condemns terrorist attack southern Beirut

The Security Council on Tuesday "strongly condemned" the terrorist attack earlier today in southern Beirut and appealed to all Lebanese people to preserve national unity in the face of attempts to undermine the country's stability. In a press statement issued by its President, Jordan, the Council also 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. The apparent suicide bombing in a Shiite neighbourhood of Beirut killed at least five people and injured dozens more. It is the third in less than a month. Extending its condolences to the families of the victims and expressing its sympathy to all those injured in this "heinous" act and to the Lebanese people and Government, the Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Council stressed the need to combat the scourge by all means and 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."