Worldwide Condemnation by Political Leaders of Latest Assassination

Worldwide Condemnation by Political Leaders of Latest Assassination

Various Lebanese groups, the international community and Arab states condemned Friday's assassination of a key Lebanese anti-terrorism investigator that was seen as part of a campaign to dismantle Lebanese institutions.
The leader of the parliamentary majority, MP Saad HaririSaad-Hariri-Profile Sep-07 , indirectly pointed the finger at neighboring Syria.
"This attack is a clear message to all Arabs that the future of Lebanon will remain under the stranglehold of crimes and terrorism despite all the initiatives to resolve the political crisis," Hariri said. "That compels us to call once again on Syria to stop its interference in Lebanon."
However, Syria itself, which pulled its troops out of Lebanon after three decades under strong pressure after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, condemned the killing, blaming it on "Lebanon's enemies."
The official Syrian Arab News Agency quoted a government official as "condemning the attack perpetrated this morning in Beirut and affirming that it aimed at Lebanon's security and stability."
The opposition Free Patriotic Movement, headed by MP Michel Aoun, also condemned the killing, saying, "the perpetrators should be uncovered and brought to justice at once."
Hizbullah also condemned the bombing and sent a delegation to Internal Security Forces (ISF) commander General Ashraf Rifi to pay condolences.
United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon also deplored Friday's "terrorist" attack.
"The secretary general strongly condemns the terrorist attack today in Lebanon that reportedly killed an officer of the ISF" and three others, his press office said in a statement.
Captain Wissam Eid, 31, a member of Lebanon's ISF and his bodyguard were killed along with three civilians.
Ban, who is currently attending the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of DavosDavos-City-Guide Jan-08 , reiterated his call "on the people of Lebanon to continue exercising restraint and for those behind this and previous attacks to be brought to justice."
"This latest act of terrorshould not be allowed to undermine the security, stability and sovereignty of Lebanon," the UN statement said.
The Security Council was also considering issuing its own statement condemning the attack.
The White House also "strongly" condemned the attack, according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino, who blamed "those who seek to undermine Lebanon's institutions and democratic processes and to delay further the selection of a new Lebanese president."
At the State Department, spokesman Tom Casey said the car bombing "does appear yet again to be another attack on individuals who are part of the institutions and democratic structures in Lebanon."
Britain, France, Russia, Saudi Arabia and other countries as well as the European Union, and the Arab League also denounced the attack.
"This is another in a disturbing series of recent attacks by those who wish to destabilize Lebanon," said Britain's Foreign Office. "His death must not be allowed to derail the pursuit of justice" in the string of killings in Lebanon.
If "some people think that these assassinations can sink a solution to the current [political] crisis to their advantage, they are wrong," said EgyptianForeign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit.
Lebanon has been without a head of state since Emile Lahoud left the presidency at the end of his term at midnight on November 23 with no elected successor because of a standoff between the ruling coalition and the Hizbullah-led opposition.
In Riyadh, Saudi King Abdullah, who was meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, joined the condemnations and called for unity to foil "the schemes of those who do not wish well for Lebanon."
Arab League chief Amr Moussa warned the latest attack could "affect the unity of Lebanon." The country is "sliding toward the abyss because of the failure to reach a compromise" on electing a new president, said Moussa, whose organization has a plan which has so far failed to break the deadlock between feuding parties.
Russia expressed "deep concern" after the latest deadly bombing, saying that it showed there was a political "vacuum" in Lebanon.
"The report of a fresh explosion in Beirut ... evokes deep concern," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said in a statement
"It reflects the danger of the continuing vacuum of presidential power in Lebanon," Kamynin added.
"Consultations on electing a new head of state by consensus are being unjustifiably delayed, which is being exploited by destructive forces. The continuing delay on this key question is unacceptable," he said.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana condemned the deadly car bombing, which he said was clearly aimed at fomenting instability.
"Yet again I express my utter condemnation at the continuing wave of bomb attacks in Beirut," the EU high representative for foreign and security policy said in a statement.
"It is clear that the main intention behind these attacks is to foment instability," he added. "As attempts to foster dialogue continue in good faith, others exert efforts to pursue a sinister agenda."