Lebanon mourns victims of twin suicide attack by IS

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," Salam said 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."

"Lebanon's unity, stability and security need to be supported and shielded at all times. The international community stands by Lebanon," she added.

The Islamic State said late Thursday in an online statement that its members "had driven into the neighborhood where the explosions took place and parked a rigged motorbike, blowing it up shortly afterward."

"Soldiers of the caliphate blew themselves up in the stronghold of the heretics, and after the apostates crowded around the site of the explosion, a second martyr blew himself up using his explosive belt," the statement added.

It identified the bombers as Hamed Rachid and Ammar Salem el-Rayess, both being Palestinian nationals, and Khaled Ahmad el-Khaled from Syria.

The group vowed for more attacks against Shiite areas.

After the bombings, Hezbollah vowed to continue its fight against "terrorists." Endit