"And I have found both freedom and safety in my madness, the freedom of loneliness and the safety from being understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us. But let me not be too proud of my safety. Even a Thief in a jail is safe from another thief. "

Khalil Gibran (How I Became a Madman)

Lübnan Marunîleri / Yasin Atlıoğlu

NEWS AND ARTICLES / HABERLER VE MAKALELER

Monday, February 14, 2005

President Assad Condemns Terrorist Act in Beirut

SOURCE: SANA

President Bashar al-Assad on Monday condemned the terrorist horrible act that claimed the life of a number of the Lebanese people, on top of them former Premier Rafiq al-Hariri.

"Syria as a government and people announces support to sisterly Lebanon during those dangerous situations and offers condolences to Mr. Rafiq al-Hariri and other victims’ families", President Assad added.

His Excellency also underlined the dangerous current circumstances and called upon the Lebanese to boost their national unity against those who seek to arouse disputes and partition in the country.

Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara, for his part, expressed Syria’s strong condemnation of this criminal act, denouncing bids that target to arouse disputes in sisterly Lebanon.

Minister Shara, in a statement on Monday, expressed hope that the Lebanese people will remain strong and solid during this crucial moment, rejecting any internal disturbance or any foreign intervention.

“It is very important for the Lebanese government to make investigations to identify who carried out this heinous act,” Minister Shara, answering a question on who were the beneficiary sides behind the assassination.

Meanwhile, Minister of Information Mehdi Dakhlallah described the assassination act as a criminal one which not only targeted Lebanon, but also Syria.

“Those who were responsible aimed at weakening Lebanon and finding negative repercussions on Lebanon and the region as a whole,” Minister of Information said in a statement.

The news of the terrifying explosion which claimed the life of Former Lebanese Premier Rafik al-Hariri has triggered a wave of anger and condemnation among the Syrian people who showed their sympathies for al-Hariri’s family and other victims’.
Syrian citizens representing different political, economic and social activities expressed, in interviews with SANA staff reporters, their solidarity with Lebanese people during this ordeal.

They stressed that the late al-Hariri was a friend of Syria and Syrian people who still remember his contributions to build and strengthen relations between Syria and Lebanon.

Later, President Assad sent a cable of condolences to al-Hariri's family, expressing the Syrian people deep sorrow and condolences.