¡¡UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly condemned the killing of an Lebanese journalist in Beirut, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday.

    In a statement released by the spokesman, Annan condemned the killing of Samir Qaseer, a prominent Lebanese journalist, and one other person in Beirut.

    "The Secretary-General calls on the Lebanese government to bring to justice the perpetrators and the instigators of today's terrible crime and to ensure an end to impunity and the continuation of press freedom," said Dujarric.

    According to the spokesman, Annan also expressed his condolences to the families of both victims, and urged all Lebanese parties to preserve national unity and calm during this important electoral period.

    Qaseer, 45, was killed Thursday when a bomb exploded in his carin the mainly Christian eastern area in Beirut. Enditem