EU Slams Dahieh Blast, UK Calls for Preventing 'Terrorists' from Undermining Peace

The European Union and Britain have strongly condemned the bombing that hit the Beirut southern suburb of Bir al-Abed.

“I condemn today’s explosion in southern Beirut. My thoughts are with those injured in the attack and their families,” British Foreign Secretary William Hague said.

“I call on all Lebanese parties to work together to resist any efforts by extremists and terrorists to undermine Lebanon’s hard-won peace,” he added.

Hague stressed that the UK “remains fully committed to supporting stability in Lebanon and to helping the Lebanese authorities respond to the impact of the Syrian conflict.”

“This commitment has been demonstrated by visits to Lebanon by the International Development Secretary and the Chief of the Defense Staff,” he added.

Meanwhile, the EU said it strongly condemns the bomb attack, reiterating its "support to Lebanon's institutions" and urging all parties to "work together towards Lebanon’s peace, security and stability, especially at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan."

Earlier on Tuesday, a booby-trapped car exploded at a parking lot in the Beirut southern suburb of Bir al-Abed, a stronghold of Hizbullah, wounding 53 people and causing extensive material damage.

Some Syrian rebel groups have threatened to strike in Lebanon after Hizbullah joined Syrian President Bashar Assad's troops in their battle against opposition fighters.

In May, two rockets slammed into the Beirut southern suburb of Shiyyah, wounding four people.