U.N. Voices Concern, Urges Rival Parties to Preserve National Unity

The United Nations has urged Lebanon's feuding factions to refrain from getting involved in Syria's crisis after a suicide car bomb left several people dead near the border Saturday.

The explosion happened at a petrol station in Hermel, a stronghold of Hizbullah.

The Al-Nusra Front in Lebanon, a group named after al-Qaida's Syrian affiliate, claimed the attack on Twitter, saying it was a suicide bombing in response to Hizbullah's involvement in Syria.

The Security Council issued a statement condemning the "terrorist attack" and calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Council members also appealed to all Lebanese people "to preserve national unity in the face of attempts to undermine the country's stability" and for all parties to refrain from any involvement in the Syrian crisis.

In a separate statement the U.N. secretary general's spokesman Martin Nesirky said Ban Ki-moon also strongly condemned the car bombing and extended his condolences to the bereaved.

"The recent escalation in acts of terrorism and violence in Lebanon is of grave concern," he said.

He added that Ban called on all players, including the army and security forces, "to confront such unacceptable and indiscriminate actions and to safeguard their country's security and stability.”