Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has strongly condemned a recent deadly twin car bombing in northern Lebanon, calling for vigilance against seditious plots targeting Islamic sects in the region.

In a telephone conversation with Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour on Sunday evening, Zarif also extended Iran’s sincere condolences to the Lebanese nation and government over the terrorist attacks, which killed dozens of people.

Moreover, the Iranian foreign minister voiced Tehran’s readiness to make efforts aimed at preventing the dire consequences of extremism in the regional and Islamic communities.

He also laid special emphasis on the need for close interaction between Tehran and Beirut in order to resolve regional crises.

Zarif and Mansour also called for the further expansion of bilateral ties between Iran and Lebanon in diverse areas.

They also urged regional convergence to secure stability and security.

On August 23, at least 47 people were killed and hundreds of others wounded in car bomb explosions outside two mosques in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli.

The first blast happened outside the al-Taqwa Mosque at the city’s Abu Ali Square as worshippers were leaving the mosque.

The second explosion, which occurred about five minutes later, struck the al-Salam Mosque in the Mina district of the city.

Lebanese security authorities said on Saturday that some 300 people were taken to the hospital and another 200 people sustained minor injuries in the Friday bombings. They said that 65 of the injured are in critical condition.

Lebanon observed Saturday as a national mourning day for those killed in the attacks, which drew international condemnations.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the bombings, expressing hope that “those responsible for such cowardly acts of violence will be brought to justice as soon as possible.”

The European Union and the UN Security Council also censured the terrorist attacks.

 

News ID 185143