WASHINGTON (AFP) — The White House on Friday strongly condemned the attack that killed four people, including a senior Lebanese intelligence officer investigating deaths largely blamed on Syria.

"We strongly condemn the terrorist bombing in Beirut today that killed a police captain and many other Lebanese," spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Asked about any Syrian involvement, Perino stressed: "I don't have that for sure."

Perino fixed the blame on "those who seek to undermine Lebanon's institutions and democratic processes and to delay further the selection of a new Lebanese president."

"President Bush will continue to stand with the Lebanese people as they strive for security and freedom," she added.

At the State Department, spokesman Tom Casey called the attack "a terrible act of terrorism."

"We condemn it and those who are responsible for it. We certainly don't have a sense of who is responsible for this but it does appear yet again to be another attack on individuals who are part of the institutions and democratic structures in Lebanon."