UN Security Council condemns Lebanon bus blasts

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 14 (Reuters) The UN Security Council strongly condemned two deadly bomb blasts on buses in a Christian area of Lebanon as a bid to undermine security and stability in the country.

The 15-nation council rushed to issue a reaction to the blasts that killed at least three people and wounded 20 ahead of the second anniversary of the killing of ex-Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri today. No group claimed responsibility.

The council downgraded its reaction to a press statement rather than a policy statement in a formal meeting, with Council President Peter Burian of Slovakia saying that this involved consultations with capitals and would take too long.

''The Security Council determines that this terrorist attack ... represents a new pernicious attempt to undermine security and all the efforts aimed at preserving stability in the country,'' said the statement read by Burian.

The council said it remained determined to help the Lebanese government ''search for the truth and in holding accountable all those involved in this terrorist attack as well as other terrorist attacks and assassinations.'' ''There must be no impunity for such heinous acts,'' the council's statement said.

The anti-Syrian coalition that dominates the Lebanese government and has a majority in parliament blamed Syria for the attack and demanded the deployment of international troops on the border with Syria to stop the smuggling of weapons.

Tension has been running high in Lebanon since street clashes last month between supporters and opponents of the Western-backed government in which nine people were killed.

Pro-government groups have planned a mass rally in Beirut's Martyrs Square to mark Hariri's killing, despite fears of friction with opposition supporters camped nearby since Dec. 1 in a campaign to topple the government.

''The Security Council calls upon all parties in Lebanon and in the region to show restraint and a sense of responsibility with a view to preventing any further deterioration of the situation in Lebanon,'' the statement said.

''It underlines its readiness to act in support of the legitimate and democratically elected government of Lebanon.'' Reuters AD VP0730