press releases 2007

The US Embassy Condemns the Murder of Brigadier General Francois Al-Hajj and Other Victims

December 12, 2007

The Embassy of the United States of America condemns the murder of Lebanese Armed Forces Chief of Operations Brigadier General Francois Al-Hajj and the other victims of the attack in Baabda this morning.    Brigadier General Al-Hajj was a highly respected senior leader of the LAF and had served Lebanon honorably for many years. 

This crime, which occurred on the second anniversary of the assassination by a car bombing of Member of Parliament Gebran Tuenni, is yet another direct and outrageous attack against Lebanon's state institutions.  Today’s attack is the latest in a long series of assassinations, threats, intimidation, and bombings over a period of more than three years directed at those who were working to keep  Lebanon independent and sovereign.  It is not a coincidence that these attacks have targeted those who have been working to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty from outside forces.  

We hope that this heinous crime will motivate those who have blocked the full operation of Lebanon’s state institutions to take the actions necessary so that all of those institutions may function for the benefit of the Lebanese people.

The United States, like Lebanon’s other international friends, remains firmly committed to supporting Lebanon's legitimate institutions, its democracy and independence. 

We express our deepest condolences to Brigadier General Al-Hajj’s family, friends and colleagues.  We also extend our sympathy to the families of the other victims and wish those wounded the speediest recovery.  

We also extend our condolences to the commander, officers and soldiers of the Lebanese Armed Forces for this terrible loss.