Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah has vowed to press ahead with its battle against terrorists after two blasts claimed at least 43 lives in a southern suburb of the capital, Beirut.
"What happened here is a crime... this battle against terrorists will continue and it is a long war between us," Hussein Khalil, an assistant to the group's leader, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, said from the site of the terror attack.
The explosions were carried out by two bombers near the General Security Post in Hussaineya Street in Borj al-Barajneh neighborhood on Thursday.
Forty three people were killed and some 239 others injured in the attacks, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. The number of the dead is expected to rise as many of the wounded are in critical condition.
The Daesh Takfiri terror group released a statement following the attacks, claiming responsibility for the deadly bombings.
Prime Minister Tammam Salam declared Friday as a day of national mourning and condemned the attacks as "unjustifiable." He further called for unity against "plans to create strife" in the country.
Iran condemnation
In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari denounced the attack and offered the Islamic Republic's condolences to the Lebanese government and nation.
He noted that the diverse Lebanese society is a symbol of unity and resistance, and expressed hope that the Lebanese people, Hezbollah and the army will stand united against extremist groups and terrorism.
‘Despicable’ attacks
French President Francois Hollande also expressed his “indignation and horror” over the “despicable” attacks in Lebanon's capital.
Over the past months, a large number of people have lost their lives in terrorist attacks in the Lebanese capital and some areas in the country’s east.
This comes as the Lebanese army has been carrying out operations for months against the terrorist groups of al-Nusra Front and Daesh in the Lebanese town of Arsal on the border with Syria.