(BRUSSELS) - The EU's French presidency on Thursday condemned the murder of a Lebanese opposition figure and stressed the bloc's readiness to help bring to justice those carrying out terrorist acts.

Saleh Aridi, a member of Lebanon's opposition Democratic party, was killed Wednesday in a car bomb explosion southeast of Beirut. Three other people were injured in the blast.

The incident came as Lebanon's political parties prepare for a national dialogue next week aimed at reconciling their differences.

The EU presidency "very strongly condemns the attack which cost the life of Mr Saleh Aridi," said a statement, issued by the foreign ministry of France, which holds the EU's rotating presidency.

The EU "reaffirms its engagement alongside Lebanon in the fight to bring the authors and commanders of terrorist acts to justice," it added.

The EU presidency urged all parties involved to continue the process initiated by the Doha accord, which was struck on May 21 between Lebanon's rival political factions to end the protracted political crisis in Lebanon.

The Doha agreement put an end to an 18-month political crisis in Lebanon, and came after deadly factional fighting that pushed the country to the brink of renewed civil war.

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