United Nations, Jan 3 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon and the UN Security Council Thursday strongly condemned a car bomb attack in the Lebanese capital of Beirut that killed at least six people and wounded 70.

Ban called on all parties in Lebanon to show restraint following the second car bombing in less than a week, reported Xinhua citing Ban in a statement. "This act follows the terrible bombing on 27 December and further reflects a deeply worrying escalation in the violence witnessed in Lebanon in recent months."

On Thursday afternoon, a booby trapped car exploded in the Bir El Abd neighbourhood in southern Beirut, marking the fourth attack to hit Beirut's southern suburbs since July.

Underlining the need for the instigators and perpetrators of "this crime" to be brought to justice as soon as possible, the UN chief extended his condolences to the victims' families and the people of Lebanon and, wished those injured a swift recovery.

In a separate statement, the UN Security Council also underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable," the statement said.

The council members reaffirmed the need to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Beirut has been hit by several deadly attacks over the past months, including twin suicide bombings in November that targetted the Iranian embassy.