    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [November 21, 2006]
    [Pages 2116-2117]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Assassination of Minister of Industry Pierre
    Gemayel of Lebanon
    November 21, 2006

        Today's assassination of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel
    shows yet again the viciousness of those who are trying to destabilize
    that country.
        The United States remains fully committed to supporting Lebanon's
    independence and democracy in the face of attempts by Syria, Iran, and
    their allies within Lebanon to foment instability and violence. Syria's
    refusal to cease and desist from its continuing efforts to destabilize
    Lebanon's democratically elected Government is a repeated violation of
    United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701. The United
    States will continue its efforts with allied nations and democratic
    forces in Lebanon to resist these efforts and protect Lebanon's
    sovereignty and democratic institutions.
        We urge the U.N. Security Council and the Secretary-General today to take the remaining steps needed to establish
    the special tribunal for Lebanon that will try those accused of
    involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri, and to
    ensure that that tribunal can also bring to justice those responsible
    for related assassinations, assassination attempts, and other terrorist
    attacks. We also demand that Syria treat Lebanon as a genuinely
    sovereign neighbor, establishing full diplomatic relations with Lebanon,
    and delineating its border with that country including, in particular,
    in the Shab'a Farms area, through a bilateral agreement.

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