2005 press releases

U.S. Embassy Condemns Samir Kassir’s Assassination

June 3, 2005

The Embassy of the United States of America condemns in the strongest terms the murder of the courageous journalist Samir Kassir, killed by a bomb placed in his car on June 2 in Beirut. In our view, this was not a random attack. For years, in his widely read columns in al-Nahar newspaper, Mr. Kassir served as the voice of the Lebanese people who yearned to be free of Syria's heavy occupation. Over the years, Mr. Kassir was harassed by the Syrian and pro-Syrian Lebanese authorities -- particularly Lebanese security authorities -- for fearlessly giving expression to the Lebanese aspirations for freedom. His enemies were those who participated in Syria's occupation of Lebanon, and his friends were those who dreamed of a free, democratic, peaceful and prosperous Lebanon. Today, Mr. Kassir paid the ultimate price for his promotion of the noble idea of a free and strong Lebanon. We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Kassir's wife and daughters. We share Prime Minister Mikati's hope that the Lebanese authorities will be able to bring the perpetrators to justice, and the United States stands ready to respond rapidly to any requests for assistance.