UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Sunday condemned a bombing in a largely Christian neighborhood of Beirut.
"He is especially saddened that this latest attack, the third in Lebanon in only a week, was carried out (Saturday) on the eve of Easter, just as many of the nation's Christians were preparing to attend mass," Annan's spokesman Fred Eckhard said in a statement.
"The secretary general believes this latest violence must stop, and that Lebanese should be allowed to decide the future of their country free of violence and intimidation.
"He calls upon the government of Lebanon to act rapidly to prevent the security situation from deteriorating.
"He urges all concerned parties to do their utmost to safeguard Lebanon's stability and national unity," the statement said.
The explosion occurred as political life remained deadlocked in a standoff between pro-Syrian authorities and an energized opposition determined to end Syria's near 30-year role as Lebanon's power broker once and for all.
Opposition politicians again pointed a finger at the security services controlled by the government, accusing them of seeking to foment confessional unrest as Syria withdraws its troops from the country.
03/27/2005 18:25 GMT