Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam announced that Friday would be a day of national mourning for victims in a twin suicide attack that ripped through the southern Beirut suburb of Burj al-Barajneh late Thursday, killing at least 37 people and wounding nearly 181.
"We condemn this cowardly act and call on the Lebanese to be aware and united in the face of these plans which aim to divide us," Xinhua quoted Salam as saying in a statement.
"I pray that this tragedy is enough to wake up politicians so that they can put their differences aside so we can protect the country," he added.
Meanwhile, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag strongly condemned "the heinous attack," expressing her profound condolences to the families of the victims and extending her good wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Kaag stressed "the need for those responsible for terrorist acts to be brought to justice, and expressed her strong support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and the security services."