U.N. Council, Ban condemn Lebanon political murder

By Evelyn Leopold

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned on Wednesday the latest political killing in Lebanon, of anti-Syrian legislator Walid Eido and nine other people nearby.

In a policy statement read at a formal meeting, the council also condemned "any attempt to destabilize Lebanon through political assassination or other terrorist acts."

The statement, initiated by France, supported efforts by the Beirut government to condemn terrorism, solidify democracy and extend its authority throughout the country.

"The Security Council unequivocally condemns the terrorist attack in Beirut ... including Member of Parliament Walid Eido," the 15-member body said.

A parked sports utility vehicle packed with explosives blew up as Eido's car left a Beirut beach club. One of his sons and two bodyguards were among the dead and at least 11 people were wounded.

Eido is the seventh anti-Syrian figure killed since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in a Beirut suicide bomb blast that killed 22 others. Many Lebanese have accused Syria of involvement in the slayings, a claim Damascus denies.

The killing of Eido occurred three days after a U.N. Security Council resolution came into effect on creating an international tribunal to try suspects in Hariri's murder. The court is opposed by Syria and its Lebanese allies.

In comments to reporters, Ban said, "I again condemn in the strongest possible terms such heinous terrorist acts to kill civilians and political leaders."

"I urge again the Lebanese government to take all necessary measures to find the perpetrators to bring justice. This is just unacceptable," the secretary-general said.

He said he would ask Prime Minister Fouad Siniora about any assistance he needed.

In an earlier formal statement, Ban urged "all the Lebanese to unite in the face of acts of intimidation which attempt to divide them, and encourages Lebanese leaders to find a solution to the political issues facing the country."

The blast, near a seafront amusement park, destroyed several cars and shattered windows of nearby buildings. It hurled the bodies of Eido and his son over a wall and into the football ground, according to witnesses.

Two players in the Nejmeh football team, a member of Lebanon's top league, were among those killed.