    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [June 13, 2007]
    [Pages 741-742]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of Parliament Member Walid Eido of Lebanon
    June 13, 2007

        I strongly condemn today's assassination of Lebanese Member of
    Parliament Walid Eido, who was murdered along with his son, two
    bodyguards, and a number of others.
        There has been a clear pattern of assassinations and attempted
    assassinations in Lebanon since October 2004. Those working for a
    sovereign and democratic Lebanon have always been the ones targeted. The
    victims have always been those who sought an end to Syrian President
    Asad's interference in Lebanon's internal
    affairs.
        The United States will continue to stand up for Lebanon, its people,
    and its legitimate Government as they face these attacks. The special
    tribunal for Lebanon must be allowed to do its work so that those behind
    the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri and related crimes can
    be brought to justice. The assault on Lebanese state institutions by
    terrorists and armed extremists, cross-border arms trafficking, and
    efforts by the regimes in Damascus and Tehran to foment instability in
    Lebanon must stop now.
        We ask for the international community to support the Lebanese
    Government as it investigates this latest assault on its democracy. The
    perpetrators of these political assassinations must be brought to
    justice, and we all have an obligation to help the Government of Lebanon
    identify, investigate, and prosecute these killers.

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