Lebanese reactions to the Murr assassination attempt
On the Lebanese reaction to the assassination attempt of the outgoing Lebanese defense minister Elias al-Murr, the media advisor for the Lebanese President Rafik Shalala, described the assassination attempt as a crime which falls in the course of the series of attempts to instigate chaos in the country.
He added in a statement to al-Jazeera TV "those who want evil in Lebanon confirm that their aggressions will not stop." He questioned those who will be the beneficiary from the state of chaos and the return back of violence and fear in Lebanon.
For his part, the former Lebanese defense minister Abdul Rahim Murad expressed his regret over what minister al-Murr was exposed to, noting that there is an intention in some sides to "destroy just for the sake of destruction" and accused western and foreign sides of creating chaos in Lebanon, in remarks to Israel.
Lebanese parliamentarian Ibrahim Kanaan, from al-Islah Wal Taghier (reform and the change) bloc which is led by Michael Aoun, described these acts as an endless cycle. He stressed the need of forming a Lebanese government and filling the security gap in the country.
In Beirut, Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri who is attending a meeting in Algiers quoted by Lebanese national news agency as he strongly condemns such attempt at Lebanese Prime Minister life and underlined the need to intensify investigation to divulge perpetrators.
For his part, Lebanese Premier Designate Fouad Sanyora said in a statement there are persons who do not want Lebanon to recover from its problems and therefore commit such coward actions.
On the same subject, Deputy Head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council Abdul Amir Qabbalan said the bid against Murr procession implies " Zionist fingerprints," that are working to strike at Lebanon's security and stability.
Elias al-Murr, who is the Lebanese president's son of law, is considered one of Syria's closest allies. But he has been always accused of ruling the security system with an iron fist.