UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday "strongly condemned" those responsible for the violence in Lebanon and voiced support for the embattled government in Beirut, according to DPA. "Lebanon needs a political process that will result in the election of a president and a solution to the prolonged political crisis," he said in a statement. He expressed his "solidarity with the people and government of Lebanon, and other legitimate Lebanese institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces." Ban said he supported efforts by the League of Arab States aimed at ending the violence and ensuring Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.