UN Security Council condemns Beirut car bombing

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Thursday condemned a deadly car bombing in Beirut, capital of Lebanon, which killed at least 17 people and wounded about 212.

The council members extended their condolences to the victims and their families and expressed sympathy to those injured in "this heinous act" and to the people and the Lebanese government, said a press statement.

"The members of the Security Council 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," said the statement.

The 15-member UN body reaffirmed the need to combat threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts and stressed the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A security source told Xinhua that a booby-trapped car, filled with around 50 kg of explosives, went off in the Bir el Abd area in the heartland of Hezbollah, causing heavy casualties.

According to reports, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Miqati announced Friday to be a national-mourning day. "The members of the Security 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," said the statement.

On July 9, a booby-trapped car exploded at a parking lot in Bir al-Abed area in Beirut, leaving 53 people wounded.