UN chief condemns Beirut bombings

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon Tuesday strongly condemned the deadly bombings that rocked the Iranian embassy in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, leaving 23 people dead while causing injuries to 146.

Ban extended his condolences to the families of those killed, as well as to the government of Lebanon and to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, reported Xinhua citing a statement issued here by the UN chief's spokesperson.

"The secretary-general calls on all in Lebanon to recognise that such appalling and indiscriminate acts of violence target all in Lebanon," it said.

He also urged all Lebanese parties to act with restraint and to support the institutions of the state, and particularly the security forces, as they seek to prevent further acts of terrorism.

"The secretary-general hopes that those responsible for this attack will be brought to justice expeditiously," the statement said.

The UN chief also reiterated the determination of the international community to support Lebanon's security and stability.

A suicide bomber blew himself up in a parking lot near the embassy Tuesday, followed by another suicide bomber who blew a booby-trapped car near the embassy, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported.

A local security source estimated the explosive materials used in the blasts weighed around 100 kgs of TNT (a high explosive).

Caretaker Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said the two explosions killed 23 people and injured 146, and the death toll could rise further. Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghadnfar Roknabadi confirmed the killing of Iranian cultural attache Sheikh Ibrahim Al Ansari in the twin explosions.