United Nations, Feb 20 (IANS/WAM): The UN Security Council has condemned Wednesday's terrorist attacks in the Bir El Hassan neighbourhood in Lebanon's capital Beirut, which killed at least eight people and wounded more than 100.

In a statement issued Wednesday night, the members of the Security Council strongly condemned the terrorist attacks which occurred in the vicinity of the Iranian Cultural Centre in Beirut. An Al Qaeda-linked group has claimed the responsibility for the attack.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

They also reaffirmed the need to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The Security Council members commended the commitment of the new Lebanon government to maintain security and stability in the country, and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

They also appealed to all Lebanese people to preserve national unity in the face of attempts to undermine the country's stability, and stressed the importance for all Lebanese parties to respect Lebanon's policy of disassociation and to refrain from any involvement in the Syrian crisis, consistent with their commitment to the Baabda Declaration.