Ban condemns bombing in Lebanese capital, urges national unity
19 October 2012 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemns the bomb explosion which struck the Lebanese capital of Beirut today, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries, and urges all political actors in the Middle Eastern country to maintain their commitment to Lebanese unity, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said today.
“At a time of regional turbulence, it is of the utmost importance that all parties ensure calm and restraint in order to preserve peace and stability in Lebanon,” the Secretary-General’s spokesperson said in a statement, adding that Mr. Ban “conveys his condolences to the families of the victims, and to the Government and people of Lebanon.”
The attack occurred in Beirut’s mainly Christian district of Ashrafiya and, according to media reports, killed at least eight people while injuring dozens others. Among the dead was General Wissam al-Hassan, a senior commander in the Lebanese Internal Security Forces.
The incident comes amidst fears that the conflict in neighbouring Syria, where more than 20,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since an uprising against the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began last year, could spill over into Lebanon and exacerbate the delicate sectarian balance already existing in the country.
“The Secretary-General calls on all Lebanese parties not to be provoked by this heinous terrorist act and to maintain their commitment to national unity,” the statement continued, adding that Mr. Ban also called for the incident to be “thoroughly investigated and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.”
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