Foreign Ministry condemns Iran consulate strike blamed on Israel

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Lebanon's Foreign Ministry condemned Tuesday a strike widely attributed to Israel that demolished Iran's consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus and killed 13 people, including two Iranian generals.

"The targeting of diplomatic headquarters and missions is a violation of international law and a serious violation of the Vienna Convention which guarantees the immunity of diplomatic headquarters," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat condemned the strike, dubbing it as a violation of international laws and diplomatic immunity norms. So did Marada leader and Hezbollah presidential candidate Suleiman Franjieh.

Iran and Hezbollah warned that Israel will be punished, while China and Russia condemned the air strikes.

The EU said that it was "alarmed by the alleged Israeli strike" on the Iranian consulate in Damascus and warned against any escalation after Tehran vowed revenge.

"In this highly tense regional situation, it is really of utmost importance to show restraint because the further escalation in the region is in no one's interests," EU spokesman Peter Stano said.

SourceNaharnet