[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 50 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Page 1586]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
 Statement on the Death of Brigadier General Francois El Hajj of Lebanon

 December 13, 2007

     I strongly condemn yesterday's assassination of Lebanese Brigadier 
General Francois El Hajj and extend my condolences to his family and the 
families of the innocents who were murdered alongside him.
     This assassination marks the 12th political assassination or 
attempted assassination Lebanon has suffered since October 2004. Like 
the many victims before him, General El Hajj was a supporter of 
Lebanon's independence and an opponent of Syria's interference in 
Lebanon's internal affairs. I call on the international community to 
support the Government of Lebanon in its efforts to bring to justice the 
perpetrators of these vicious attacks and to stand with the citizens of 
Lebanon who continue to struggle to safeguard their freedom, 
sovereignty, and democracy.
    This act of terrorism again reminds us of the importance of the 
international tribunal established by the U.N. Security Council earlier 
this year and of the urgency of ensuring that the tribunal is fully 
funded and capable of commencing its operations as soon as possible, to 
begin holding accountable those responsible for this systematic campaign 
of murder against Lebanon's most ardent patriots. We must work together 
to support and strengthen an independent and democratic Lebanon.
     This attack comes as Lebanon is seeking to choose a new President. 
The United States supports the efforts of the democratically elected 
Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Armed Forces to maintain the 
sovereignty and stability of Lebanon before the Presidential elections. 
As Lebanon seeks to select a President democratically and in accordance 
with its Constitution, interference by the Syrian regime and its allies, 
aimed at intimidating the Lebanese people, must end. The people of 
Lebanon deserve the opportunity to choose their leaders in freedom and 
without fear.