Assassination Attempt Against Samir Geagea
Press Statement
Mark C. Toner
Acting Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 5, 2012
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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.
ENDS