Ashton Urges 'Determined Political Response' after Haret Hreik Bombing

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Friday condemned the deadly “terrorist attack” that rocked the Beirut southern suburb of Haret Hreik, calling for a “determined political response.”

In a press release, Ashton extended her “sincere condolences to the families of the victims” and hoped for a “speedy recovery for those injured.”

Citing last week's bomb attack that killed former Minister Mohammed Shatah and seven others in downtown Beirut, Ashton reiterated her “deepest concern at the spiraling violence in Lebanon.”

“These repeated acts of political violence and terror seek to undermine the peace and stability of Lebanon; they should not be allowed to prevail. A determined political response is called for, to oppose the language of violence,” she underlined.

Ashton noted that the EU will continue to “stand by the Lebanese people and support the political and security institutions to overcome the challenges they face."

On Thursday, four people were killed and around 77 others wounded in a likely suicide bomb attack that hit Haret Hreik, a Hizbullah bastion.