Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman condemned Thursday the car bomb explosion that rocked the east Bekaa city of Hermel causing the death of five people and the injury of at least 48 others.

Michel Suleiman denounced the car bomb in a statement by his media office, and called for forming an all-encompassing cabinet " to face these terrorist groups."

He said "the terrorist explosion that targeted the town of Hermel today is a new episode of criminality."

The head of state went on to ask the army and the security forces to intensify their efforts to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati condemned the attack and tasked the National Committee for Disaster and Crisis to " immediately follow up on the situation and take necessary action."

Miqati said in a statement "these acts of terrorism aim to create unrest and toy with the safety and lives of the Lebanese."

A group calling itself "al-Nusra Front in Lebanon" claimed responsibility for the attack in a Twitter message.