U.S.: Geagea May Have Been Targeted for Criticizing Assad, Hizbullah
The United States denounced on Thursday the assassination attempt against Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and said Washington was concerned he may have been targeted because of his opposition to the Syrian regime.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Washington "condemns in the strongest terms what appears to be an assassination attempt targeting Lebanese politician Samir Geagea."
The LF leader has said he had been shot at twice by "snipers" Wednesday as he was walking with bodyguards outside his fortified residence in Maarab, northeast of Beirut.
"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 Hizbullah's destabilizing actions in Lebanon."
Toner called on the government of Lebanon "to thoroughly investigate this incident."
Geagea said he was convinced that "those behind this operation wanted it to be a definitive message," without specifically accusing anyone.
Toner reiterated U.S. support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to investigate the assassinations of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and other public figures from 2004 to 2007.
France also condemned the attack.
Source: Agence France Presse
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