Washington, Oct 20 (IANS): The White House Friday condemned a bomb attack in Lebanon's capital Beirut which killed eight people including a top security official and injured 80 others, Xinhua reported.

"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack today in Beirut that killed Lebanese internal security forces information bureau director Wissam Al-Hassan and at least seven others, and wounded dozens more," said National Security Council spokesperson Tommy Vietor in a statement.

Describing Lebanon's security and stability as "vital" both for the Middle East country and its neighbours, the spokesperson noted that there is "no justification for using assassination as a political tool".

While conveying condolences to friends and families of the victims, Vietor also pledged Washington's support for Lebanon's efforts to bring to justice those responsible for the attack.

Earlier reports said, besides Al-Hassan eight others died and 80 injured in the bombing.

The bombing, first of its kind in Beirut since 2008, came amid heightened tensions and rifts in Lebanon, where religious sects are divided between those supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and those backing the opposition trying to force him out.