For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 12, 2005
President Condemns Murder of Gebran Tueni of Lebanon
The murder of Gebran Tueni, a Lebanese patriot, member of parliament, and
publisher of one of Lebanon's leading newspapers, is yet another act of
violence aimed at subjugating Lebanon to Syrian domination and silencing
the Lebanese press. Mr. Tueni was a well-known opponent of Syrian
interference in Lebanon. Like so many other brave Lebanese, Mr. Tueni knew
that his courageous stand on behalf of Lebanon's independence and freedom
carried great risk. Despite these dangers to his life, he returned to
Lebanon a day before his assassination to continue his efforts to promote
freedom and democracy in his country.
I strongly condemn the savage attack on Mr. Tueni and extend my condolences
to his family and the families of the other innocent victims killed in
Lebanon. Syria must comply with United Nations Security Council
Resolutions 1559, 1595, and 1636 and end its interference in Lebanon once
and for all.
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