World leaders joined a chorus of condemnation on Monday of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, describing the murder as a "terrorist attack" and renewing calls for peace.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly condemned the "brutal murder" and called the death of Hariri an immense loss to Lebanon,the region and the international community.

He noted that Hariri will always be remembered for his dedication to the people of Lebanon, for his success as a statesman and a businessman and for his great achievements in the reconstruction of Lebanon after long and ugly conflicts.

The secretary-general also condemned in the strongest terms those who instigated, planned and executed the callous political assassination. He urged all Lebanese to exercise utmost restraint and use peaceful means to support full national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

The United States condemned the "brutal attack" on Hariri, and pledged to consult with other UN Security Council members about taking punitive measures against those responsible for the killing.

"The United States will consult with other governments in the region and on the Security Council about measures that can be taken to punish those responsible for this terrorist attack," saidWhite House spokesman Scott McClellan.

The British government condemned the bombing attack in Beirut as "an act of terror" on the stability of Lebanon and "a setback as well as an act of terror."

Hailing Hariri's role in rebuilding Lebanon after its civil war,British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in a statement: "I deplore this attack on a highly respected figure, on democracy andon the stability of Lebanon."

The attack also drew strong condemnation from regional leaders.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad condemned the blast as a "horrible terrorist act," and pledged support to "sisterly Lebanon during those dangerous situations" and he offered condolences to Rafik Hariri's and other victims' families.

Jordan said the assassination was aimed at destabilizing regional security and would lead to more destabilization and deterioration.

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah sent a cable of condolences to Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karameh, expressing sympathy and condolences on the incident and strongly condemning the act.

Turkey said in a press release that the assassination of Haririhad caused deep sorrow in the country and termed Hariri, who had made important contributions to Turkish-Lebanese relations during his tenure as prime minister, as "a dear friend."

Describing the murder as a "criminal act," Egypt expressed the hope that such an obnoxious crime would not undermine Lebanon's stability and security.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa also deplored the assassination of Hariri and praised him as "a great and exceptional Arab personality who always defended Lebanon and its interests."

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami offered his condolences to the Lebanese government and people and called on all ethnic groupsand tribes in Lebanon to maintain national solidarity to foil the enemy's plots.

The United Arab Emirates also denounced the criminal act, saying Hariri's death was a great loss to Lebanon.

Other countries, including Spain, France, Mexico, Bahrain, Yemen, Morocco, Sudan and Algeria also joined the chorus of condemnation, while expressing hope that the killing will not undermine regional stability.

Spain condemned the bomb attack, describing Hariri's death as a"major loss" to Lebanon and the whole region of the Middle East. In a statement by the government, Hariri was labeled as "a great friend of Spain."

The Mexican government also issued a communique condemning the terrorist attack.

"The Mexican government deeply laments the death of the ex-prime minister of Lebanon and reiterates its total and firm condemnation of the use of violence and all terrorist acts," said the Mexican Foreign Ministry.

Hariri, 60, was killed Monday when his motorcade was blown up in an exclusive section of Beirut's seafront, four months after heresigned as prime minister.

At least 14 others, including of several of Hariri's bodyguards,were also killed in the attack, the biggest in the city since Lebanon's civil war ended in 1990.

A previously unknown Islamic group claimed responsibility for the attack, accusing Hariri, who had headed five Lebanese governments over 12 years, of having ties with Saudi Arabia.