The Egyptian embassy in Beirut has condemned Friday's “terrorist attack” in the Lebanese capital.

Six people were killed by a powerful car bomb, including Mohamed Chatah, the former finance minister and senior advisor to ex-Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri.

The embassy said Arab states should use all "possible means" to combat terrorism that is spreading in "more than one state."

Chatah was an exemplary figure for his "moderation, compromise and efforts for dialogue," it added.

The embassy said it hoped Lebanon can overcome the attack and live in peaceful coexistence and toleration.

Arab League secretary-general Nabil El-Arabi said Chatah's assassination targeted his "nationalist, compromising positions" and "political openness" in Lebanon.

He called on Lebanese political leaders to "maintain maximum levels of self-restraint" and offered his condolences to the Lebanese president, Chatah's family and the other families that lost members in the "painful tragedy."

French President Francois Hollande, the first world leader to respond to the incident, denounced it as a "cowardly attack."

"May God have mercy upon his servant Chatah and take revenge on whoever desires to cause havoc in Lebanon," United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed tweeted.

Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam called for security and judicial bodies to exert their utmost endeavours to uncover the bombers "who have benefited from the fragility of [Lebanon's] security situation, political paralysis and deep divisions."

Salam said he hoped the attack would spur political leaders to form of a government that cares about the national interests and tackles Lebanon's security, economic and social problems.