Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefs correspondents on the decision by the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Armed Forces to participate in the upcoming Geneva Conference on Syria at the United Nations in New York City on January 19, 2014. Ban Monday said growing terrorism in Lebanon was "unacceptable," UPI/Emmanuel Dunand/HO |
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UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the escalation of terrorism in Lebanon was an "unacceptable" threat to the country's national security.
The Daily Star newspaper in Lebanon reported Monday at least one person was killed in a suicide bombing in a Hezbollah stronghold in the capital city. The bombing came two days after the U.N. Security Council issued a statement condemning an attack Saturday in Hermel, Lebanon, which left four people dead and dozens injured.
Ban issued a statement through his spokesman saying he condemns the attack in Beirut in the strongest terms.
"The recent escalation in acts of terrorism and violence in Lebanon is of grave concern," his statement read. All Lebanese are called on to rally behind "the army and security forces as the best means to confront such unacceptable and indiscriminate actions and to safeguard their country's security and stability."
Shiite movement Hezbollah and its supporters say it needs to keep up an armed resistance to Israel.
Hezbollah's roll in the Syrian civil war sparked reprisal attacks against its strongholds in Lebanon, Lebanese security officials say.
There was no claim of responsibility for the recent attacks.
