U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council on Monday strongly condemned the car bombing that left five people dead in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli and expressed hope that those responsible would be brought to justice.

"The Secretary General strongly condemns the terrorist attack that took place today in the city of Tripoli," his press office said in a statement.

"He hopes that the perpetrators of this act will be brought to justice (and) remains encouraged by the measures taken in recent weeks by the Lebanese to resume the national dialogue and calls upon them not to be deterred by this new attack," it added.

The 15-member Security Council issued a similar statement and also stressed the need to end impunity for the repeated terrorist attacks in Lebanon.

Four Lebanese soldiers and a civilian were killed in Monday's car bombing that targeted an army bus on the outskirts of Tripoli, Lebanese security and military officials said.(AFP)