UN Security Council slams Lebanon bombing

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council condemned Wednesday's "terrorist" bombing that killed 14 people in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli and stressed the need to bring those responsible to justice.

Council members "condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Tripoli, which caused numerous deaths and injuries," including among members of Lebanese armed forces, said a statement read by Belgium's UN Ambassador Jan Grauls, who chairs the 15-member body this month.

The members also underlined the need "to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice.

"They also recalled the need to "put an end to impunity (for terrorist attacks) in Lebanon and reiterated full support for all ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, solidify democratic institutions, engage in political dialogue and pursue national reconciliation," the statement said.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier Wednesday also slammed the attack saying it should not "hinder the positive steps" taken in returning Lebanon to normality.

The bomb blast which targeted the Lebanese army killed nine soldiers and five civilians in the deadliest attack in the troubled country in three years.

The bombing came just hours before President Michel Sleiman began a landmark visit to Syria and the day after Lebanon's new national unity cabinet won parliamentary approval.

At least 40 people were also wounded in the blast that ripped through a shopping street in the heart of the Mediterranean port city during morning rush hour, a Lebanese security official said.