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Local, Int’l Condemnations Follow Lebanon`s Murder
condemnation and warnings that the bloodshed would further destabilize the country already paralyzed politically.
The Amal Movement condemned the crime saying in a statement that targeting Hajj was targeting Lebanon as a whole and its army in particular.
Meanwhile, former President Emile Lahoud denounced the assassination, stressing that the crime asserts that our nation is still target of constipations. Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir telephoned army Chief Gen. Michel Suleiman and relayed his condolences. He denounced the assassination and urged the speedy election of a president.
The head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt called for backing the army "on the road to independence, to fight terrorism and to protect the resistance." In a televised interview, Jumblatt said that "we insist on consensus and settlement. It is for the benefit of the opposition as well as us to save the presidential election and elect General Michel Suleiman as head of state." Jumblatt emphasized the necessity to continue dialogue with Speaker Nabih Berri to find an exit to the ongoing political crisis. For his Part, Berri praised Jumblatt`s position and expressed hope that some February 14 figures act in the framework of this position, whether covertly or overtly.
For his part, the head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea said Gen. Michel Suleiman`s role in the Nahr al-Bared battle and his nomination for the presidency could be behind (Hajj`s) assassination adding, “We will keep backing Suleiman`s nomination.”
The head of the Future parliamentary bloc MP Saad Hariri said Hajj`s assassination aimed at plunging Lebanon into new political disarray.
"The latest criminal explosion ... is a link in the terrorist chain directed at Lebanon and its institutions, foremost among them the national army, which today pays the price for defending Lebanon`s sovereignty, independence and free will," Hariri said in a statement.
Moreover, former Lebanese Premiers Salim Hoss and Omar Karami in addition to the Information Minister in the unconstitutional government Ghazi Aridi also condemned the assassination of Brigadier General Hajj.
International Reactions over Hajj’s Assassination
The Arab League condemned Wednesday`s "terrorist" bombing in Lebanon that killed the top army officer and his bodyguard, hoping it would not further delay the election of a new president. Arab League secretary general Amr Mussa stressed the need "to protect Lebanese national unity", and appealed to "Lebanese political parties to head for an agreement on naming a new president of the republic as quickly as possible."
Syria also condemned the assassination and said Israel and its agents in Lebanon were the only party to benefit. Foreign Minister Walid Moallem stressed Lebanon`s security is vital and crucial to Syria. He called for electing a Lebanese president as soon as possible.
"Israel and its agents in Lebanon are the beneficiaries of this crime which cost the life of a Lebanese patriot who believed in the army, defended the resistance and worked for a united Lebanon," said a Syrian official, quoted on state news agency SANA. The official said: "Syria offers its sincere condolences to the Lebanese army, its leaders and the family of Francois El-Hajj."
Jordan`s King Abdullah II offered condolences to the head of the unconstitutional government Fouad Saniora, saying the "criminal act targeted efforts to achieve national conciliation in Lebanon."
Moreover, the European Union affirmed that it would continue to support Lebanon`s democracy and sovereignty, despite a "contemptible" car bomb attack that killed the top military officer.
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the assassination this morning of General Francois El-Hajj and others accompanying him," EU foreign policy Chief Javier Solana said in a statement. "This was a contemptible act that puts an even greater pressure on Lebanon`s delicate situation," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in a statement. "The European Commission condemns unreservedly that act which should by no means obstruct the process of electing the new president," she said.
For his part, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who visited Beirut seven times over the past six months to try to spur a presidential vote, termed the killing as "part of an obvious attempt to destabilize" Lebanon. He urged feuding Lebanese politicians "to elect without delay a new president" and keep the country functioning to "ensure its security, liberty and sovereignty."
US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said his country condemns the assassination. "This is a crucial time as Lebanon seeks to maintain a democratically elected government as select a new president," the spokesman added.