Iran condemns Lebanon bombing, blames Israel

Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi condemned bombing in a telephone call with his Lebanese counterpart Adnan Mansur.

TEHRAN: Iran on Saturday condemned a car bombing in Beirut that killed eight people, including a top Lebanese security official, blaming it on arch foe Israel.

Tehran condemned "the terrorist blast which was carried out by those who aim to create division between different Lebanese groups that never serves the interests of Lebanon," spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in a statement on the foreign ministry website.

"Undoubtedly, the main enemy of the Lebanese people and the region is the Zionist regime which benefits from instability and lack of security in the region," he added.

Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi also condemned the bombing in a telephone call with his Lebanese counterpart Adnan Mansur, according to the website.

"The enemies of the region are seeking to intensify insecurity to achieve their ill-intended aims," he was quoted as saying.

Friday's rush-hour bombing in Beirut killed at least eight people - including the intelligence chief of Lebanon's Internal Security Forces, General Wissam al-Hassan - and wounded 86 others, Lebanese officials said.