The Islamic State (IS) militant group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Burj al-Barajneh, a mainly Shia southern suburb and Hezbollah stronghold where Hezbollah forces are fighting IS in neighbouring Syria. The attack left 41 dead, in the deadliest bombing in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, cince the end of Lebanon’s civil war in 1990.

Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam called for unity in the face of attempts to create strife.

“We unequivocally condemn yesterday’s deadly double bombing attack in a Beirut suburb that resulted in the tragic deaths and serious injury of dozens of innocent victims,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “We express our deep condolences to our friends the people and government of Lebanon, a country whose internal peace and cohesion must be maintained as a necessary condition for regional peace and stability. Senseless and blind terrorism is doomed to fail.”