Deadly bombing in Beirut sparks outcry from Secretary-General

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today’s bombing in the Lebanese capital that has killed a parliamentarian, his son and at least six others, calling it “a heinous crime aimed at destabilizing Lebanon.”

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban extended his sympathies to the families of the dead and injured and called on Lebanese authorities to find the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice.

The lawmaker Wali Eido, his son and six others were killed in the explosion, which struck the Manara district of Beirut late this afternoon, while more than 10 other people were injured.

The statement from Mr. Ban’s spokesperson “urges all the Lebanese to unite in the face of acts of intimidation which attempt to divide them, and encourages Lebanese leaders to find a solution to the political issues facing the country.

“The Secretary-General reaffirms the United Nations’ unswerving commitment to Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty and political independence.”

Mr. Eido’s apparent assassination is the latest in a series of targeted killings of Lebanese political figures, including the former prime minister Rafik Hariri, who was killed with 22 others in a massive car bomb explosion in downtown Beirut in February 2005.

Earlier this week Mr. Ban began the steps and measures to formally establish a special tribunal to try the suspected killers of Mr. Hariri – and possibly those responsible for the subsequent assassinations as well.

The Security Council added its voice to the outrage over the bombing, which it deplored in a statement read out by Ambassador Johan Verbeke, of Belgium, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month.

Council members condemned any attempts to destabilize Lebanon and reaffirmed their determination to support the Government’s efforts to bring both the perpetrators and the sponsors of today’s attack to justice.