    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [December 12, 2005]
    [Page 1849]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of Gebran Tueni
    December 12, 2005

        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.