President and Sec of State condemn the assassination of MP Eido

 

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 13, 2007

Statement by the President

I strongly condemn today's assassination of Lebanese Member of Parliament Walid Eido, who was murdered along with his son, two bodyguards, and a number of others.

There has been a clear pattern of assassinations and attempted assassinations in Lebanon since October 2004. Those working for a sovereign and democratic Lebanon have always been the ones targeted. The victims have always been those who sought an end to Syrian President Asad's interference in Lebanon's internal affairs.

The United States will continue to stand up for Lebanon, its people, and its legitimate government as they face these attacks. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon must be allowed to do its work, so that those behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri and related crimes can be brought to justice. The assault on Lebanese state institutions by terrorists and armed extremists, cross-border arms trafficking, and efforts by the regimes in Damascus and Tehran to foment instability in Lebanon must stop now.

We ask for the international community to support the Lebanese government as it investigates this latest assault on its democracy. The perpetrators of these political assassinations must be brought to justice, and we all have an obligation to help the Government of Lebanon identify, investigate, and prosecute these killers.

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Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 13, 2007

The United States condemns today's brutal assassination of Lebanese Parliamentarian Walid Eido and at least eight others.

This bombing is yet another vicious and cowardly act against a courageous member of Lebanon's democratically-elected Parliament. The aim of this attack can only be the silencing of yet another Lebanese political leader working for a sovereign and democratic Lebanon. Adding to the already too long list of Lebanon's unsolved bombings, this attack has taken the lives of Lebanese who aspire to live in peace and security and with optimism for the future for themselves and their families.

The Lebanese people deserve to know the truth behind this attack and others like it. The expeditious establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is an important step in bringing to justice those behind similar crimes and for putting an end to political violence in Lebanon.

The Lebanese people deserve to live in an independent and secure country without fear of violence and intimidation from those who would seek to undermine Lebanese democracy. The U.S. extends its condolences to the families of all victims and to the Lebanese people for their tragic and regrettable loss.

Released on June 13, 2007