The Lebanese-based al-Qaida linked group known as the Abdullah Azzam Brigade claimed responsibility for two explosions, at least one caused by a suicide bomber which killed at least 23 people at Iran's embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, The Jerusalem Post reported. An Iranian cultural attache were among those killed in the double suicide attack, news reports said.
At least 6 buildings were also damaged by the explosions.
Security camera footage "showed a man in an explosives belt rushing towards the outer wall of the embassy before blowing himself up... the second explosion was caused by a car bomb parked two buildings away from the compound," The Jerusalem Post also reported.
"It was double martyrdom operation by two of the Sunni heroes of Lebanon," a Twitter posted by Sheikh Sirajeddine Zuraiqat, the religious guide the militant group wrote, after the twin attacks.
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman called Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to condemn the attack while also expressing regret, news reports said.
"At one entrance of the Iranian embassy I counted six bodies outside. I saw body parts...thrown two streets away. There is huge damage," said Issam Abdullah, a Reuters television cameraman Issam Abdullah.
"The members of the Security Council extends its condolences to the families of the victims and express its sympathy to all those injured in these heinous acts and to the people and governments of Lebanon and Iran," said Liu Jieyi, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Liu currently serves as the President of the Security Council for November.
Liu Jieyi. China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations addresses the terrorist attack in Beirut on Tuesday. (Credit: Jared Feldschreiber)
"The members of the Security Council reaffirms 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, regardles of the motivations wherever, whenever and by whomsever committed" Liu added.
66 people were killed by car bombings in Beirut and the northern city of Tripoli in August.
"Whoever did this is a monstrous terrorist. The resistance message is that it will continue. It will continue in all its efforts to defeat Israel and defeat the terrorists," said Ali Ammar, a Hezbollah official.
The U.S. State Department announced that it "strongly condemns [the] senseless and despicable terrorist bombings at the Iranian Embassy in Beirut. We extend our condolences to the victims and their families. We urge all parties to exercise calm and restraint to avoid inflaming the situation further. The United States knows too well the cost of terrorism directed at our own diplomats around the world, and our hearts go out to the Iranian people after this violent and unjustifiable attack claimed the life of at least one of their diplomats," a press statement read on Tuesday afternoon.
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