West Denounces Dahiyeh Twin Bomb Blasts
The British and U.S. embassies in Lebanon denounced on Wednesday the twin bombings that killed at least three people near an Iranian cultural center in the Bir Hassan neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs.
“We condemn the terrorist bombing in Bir Hassan in Beirut,” the U.S. embassy said via twitter.
The embassy offered condolences to the victims of the attacks and their families.
For his party, British Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher condemned the attack, pointing out that he's following closely the reports of the explosions.
“Condemnation for those trying to destroy... Solidarity with those trying to mend,” Fletcher said via twitter.
That attack was claimed by the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, an al-Qaida inspired group.
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly called on the Lebanese to “remain united in the face of such appalling and indiscriminate terrorist actions.”
He pointed out that the Lebanese “should rally around their state institutions, including the army and security forces, to safeguard their country's security and stability.”
The diplomat voiced hope that those “responsible for today’s bombing and all other acts of terrorism will be brought to justice as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton deplored the bomb attacks, expressing its concern over the violence in Lebanon.
“We are deeply concerned regarding the spiral of violence in Lebanon and we reaffirm that terrorism and any use of violence against civilians, and especially children, are completely unacceptable,” a statement issued by Ashton said.
The EU diplomat called for the perpetrators of “these heinous acts” to be brought to justice.
The statement continued: “Four days ago, we welcomed the formation of a new government as a key step in Lebanon's efforts to tackle effectively the extraordinary security, economic and political challenges the country is facing.”
“We reconfirm that the EU will stand by Lebanon to face those challenges."
EU ambassadors to Lebanon also called after meeting with premier Tammam Salam for bringing the perpetrators of these “heinous” acts to justice.
Spain's embassy in Lebanon denounced the “terrorist” bombings that targeted Bir Hassan, considering that these acts hinder efforts exerted by the Lebanese people to strengthen religious coexistence and which include the formation of a new cabinet.
"We stress on Spain's full support to the Lebanese cabinet in fighting terrorism,” the embassy's statement said.
Bir Hassan is surrounded by neighborhoods that are strongholds of Hizbullah and have been targeted in multiple bomb attacks killing civilians.
Lebanon has been rocked by a string of car and suicide bomb attacks in recent months, many targeting strongholds of Hizbullah in apparent retribution for its role in Syria.
Bir Hassan has been the scene of blasts before, including a powerful double bomb attack against the Iranian embassy there in November that killed 25 people.
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