UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday condemned the deadly suicide bombing attack that took place in Damascus, the capital of Syria, which reportedly left at least 26 people dead, Xinhua reported.
"I condemn the terrorist bombing in which many people were killed and injured today in the Syrian capital of Damascus," Ban said when meeting the press here to convey his best wishes for the new year. "I extend my sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and the people of Syria."
A suicide bomb exploded in the Al-Midan neighborhood of Damascus Friday morning. At least 26 people were killed and 63 others injured, reports said.
The blast is the second deadly attack in the capital since the eruption of mass protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in mid-March.
"I remain gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Syria, where thousands have lost their lives since March last year and people continue to be killed each day," Ban said. "I say again that all violence is not acceptable and must stop immediately."
In March 2011, protestors in Syria began calling for the ouster of President al-Assad. Since that time, violent confrontations have taken place between protestors and Assad's forces.
The suicide bombings in Syria drew strong condemnation from the international community which called for an end to all forms of violence in the Arab country.