U.S. CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON LEBANESE POLITICAL FIGURE SAMIR GEAGEA

FROM U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Assassination Attempt Against Samir Geagea
Press Statement
Mark C. Toner
Acting Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
April 5, 2012
The United States condemns in the strongest terms what appears to be an assassination attempt targeting Lebanese politician Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces party, on April 4. While we do not know who was behind the attack at this time, we are deeply concerned that Mr. Geagea may have been targeted because of his outspoken criticism of the Assad regime’s murderous repression and Hizballah’s destabilizing actions in Lebanon. We call on the Government of Lebanon to thoroughly investigate this incident.

Lebanon and the international community have sought to bring about an end to impunity for political assassinations with the 2009 establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) to investigate the assassinations of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and other public figures from 2004 to 2007. The United States reiterates its strong support for the work of the STL. We call on the Government of Lebanon to cooperate fully with the Tribunal, including arresting those named in the 2011 indictment and providing funding to the Tribunal’s operations for 2012.

LEBANON'S CEDAR REVOLUTION ANNIVERSARY

The following excerpt is from  Department of State e-mail:
Press Statement Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
March 14, 2012

Today marks the seventh anniversary of Lebanon’s Cedar Revolution, when the Lebanese people took to the streets en masse in a peaceful demonstration to demand a sovereign and democratic country, free from foreign interference, and to call for the truth behind the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In 2005, long before the inspiring and dramatic events of the past year, the people of Lebanon shattered the myth that the only way to produce change in the region is through violence and conflict. The United States salutes the brave and proud Lebanese who peacefully took to the streets in 2005 to demand a better future for themselves and their homeland.

Without a doubt, challenges remain for the people of Lebanon. Foreign-backed groups seek to turn back the clock. The brutal violence unleashed by the Assad regime against its own people risks destabilizing the region, including Lebanon. We support Lebanon’s political leaders’ efforts to maintain security and to prepare for the day when a democratic government in Damascus will usher in a new era in Lebanese-Syrian relations. We will continue to stand with and support the people of Lebanon and all those across the region as they work for democratic governments that will fulfill their aspirations and respect their rights.