Lebanese figures condemn Hawi assassination act
Lebanon-Regional, Politics, 6/22/2005

President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon denounced the assassination of George Hawi, former Secretary General of the Lebanese Communist Party, describing it as a new part of a series of conspiracy targeting Lebanon since the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafiq al-Hariri.

Lahoud said in a statement published Tuesday by the Information Office at the Lebanese Presidency that "every time Lebanon strides towards restoring its stability and security, the hand of evil seeks to disturb life in Lebanese... Those who targeted Hawi wanted to silence Hawi's firm principles that characterized his stances and his career." The statement added that all capabilities of the state will be directed towards unveiling those who executed this dreadful crime, asserting that Lebanon will remain stronger than any conspiracy and continue the international cooperation to discover the true hand that harm the country's security and safety.

Arab and foreign political and religious figures on Tuesday strongly denounced the assassinating of Hawi. "France strongly condemns the assassination act," French Foreign Ministry Spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said in a statement. He added that his country is convinced that the Lebanese authorities "will do its best to bring those who committed this barbaric crime to justice."

In Riyadh, General Secretary of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdulrahman al-Atyyiah expressed the Council's utmost concern of the chain of assassinations Lebanon is witnessing. "Those criminal assassinations pose a threat to Lebanon security and stability," Atyyiah said in a statement.

In Beirut, Lebanese Grand Mufti, Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Kabani and the Deputy Leader of the Supreme Shiite Islamic Council Abdulamer Kabalan condemned the assassination act, stressing that the Israeli criminal hand is involved in this heinous act.

"Those terrorist acts aim at hitting Lebanon's stability and instigating riots and sedition among the Lebanese," Sheikh Kabaln said in a statement, calling on the Lebanese people to be fully aware and adhere to national unity to face such plots.

Lebanese MP and former minister Suleiman Franjieh, for his part, denounced the crime, saying that "once again the hand of betrayal hits a national prominent figure."

Previous Stories:
  Lebanese communist party accuses Israel of killing Hawi   (6/21/2005)
  Lebanese minister of justice: Hawi's assassination made by remote- controlled explosion   (6/21/2005)
  Hoss criticizes foreign intervention in the elections   (6/21/2005)
  Lahoud: Just peace is the only solution according to UN resolutions   (6/17/2005)

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