World countries condemn assassination of Hariri
Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 2/15/2005

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned the assassination of Lebanese former Premier Rafic Hariri.

A Saudi Cabinet statement, during a weekly session, said the Kingdom rejects such terrorist acts which target the lives of innocents.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan also condemned the criminal act. Annan's Spokesman said in a statement that the UN Secretary General strongly denounces the heinous act and those who were behind this brutal assassination.

King Mohammad VI of Morocco, for his part, condemned the assassination act, renewing his country's support to Lebanon.

In a cable sent to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, the King said that the news of assassinating Hariri had "left most sorrow in our souls", stressing that the criminal act will not affect Lebanon's national unity and stability.

Yemen also condemned the assassination, stressing the act targets Lebanon's stability and security.

Spokesman for the Yemeni government said his country calls on all Lebanese people to be more aware of conspiracies fabricated against national unity.

Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait also condemned the criminal act, expressing confidence that the Lebanese people are capable of overcoming such acts.

Iran denounced the assassination of Lebanese former Foreign Minister Rafic Hariri, asserting that Israel is the beneficial side from this incident and other similar incidents.

"The main target of this act is Lebanon and the region's stability and security as well as disturbing the Lebanese national unity," Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said Monday.

Arab-French Solidarity Committee strongly condemned the act, describing it as criminal and brutal. "Enemies of the Arab nation were behind this act," it added.

UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed al-Nahayan denounced the act, calling on the Lebanese to cement their national unity.

Lebanese Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri denounced the crime of assassinating Rafic Hariri, depicting him as one of the corner stones of the national accordance.

In a statement, Berri stressed that this crime targets Lebanon's national unity, stability and economy, calling for being aware of the conspiracy targeting Lebanon through this crime.

Egypt also strongly condemned the assassination of Hariri, expressing deep sorrow and condolences for his family.

In a statement, Egypt's Presidency described as a horrible the crime, expressing hope that this act will never influence Lebanon's stability, security and unity.

For his part, Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah sent a condolence cable to Lebanese Premier Omar Karami expressing Kuwait's denunciation of this explosion that claimed the life of Lebanese former Premier Hariri.

King Abdullah II of Jordan strongly condemned the assassination of Hariri, asserting his country's support to Lebanon during the current critical circumstances.

Moscow condemned the assassination of Hariri, expressing confidence that the Lebanese people will overcome this ordeal. " Russia considers Hariri as a Lebanese politician who had a wide presence on the international arena," Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

US President George W. Bush was "shocked and angered" by the terrorist attack that claimed the lives of former Lebanese Prime Minister and nine others, said a White House statement.

Turkey, for her part, condemned the horrible act, expressing great sorrow over Mr. Hariri passing away.

The European Commission in Lebanon also criticized the assassination, saying " the EU Commission delegation condemns strongly the assassination and expresses great sympathy with the victims' families."

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa on Monday regretted the assassination. Moussa, in press statements noted that Hariri was a great and exceptional Arab personality who always defended Lebanon and its interests.


Lebanese Minister of Interior Sulayman Franjiyeh who inspected the site of the explosion, said the assassination crime was a dangerous indicator and it posed as an action against Lebanon and its unity and stability.

" He who has made this crime does not want Lebanon's good nor his interest," Fannjiyeh said.

Previous Stories:
  Lebanese expatriate and Arab economic integration   (1/28/2005)
  Lahoud and peace in the region   (1/11/2005)
  Hammoud underlines need for peace on two tracks   (12/3/2004)

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