Minister Ahern condemns assassination of Lebanese MP

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, has condemned the assassination of Lebanese MP, Antoine Ghanem, in an explosion in Beirut this afternoon. Emphasising the continuing strong support of Ireland and the EU for the democratically-elected Government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, the Minister stated:

"This afternoon’s appalling attack in Beirut is the latest in a series of killings of prominent Lebanese political figures since the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in February 2005. Our sympathies go out to the families of the five people whose lives were taken in today’s attack. When I visited Beirut earlier this year I assured Prime Minister Siniora of Ireland’s continuing solidarity and support at a difficult moment in the history of Lebanon. Despite today’s atrocity, there is an opportunity for a resolution of Lebanon’s political crisis when Parliament meets next week to elect a new President. All parties, including Lebanon’s close neighbours, must now meet their responsibilities and ensure that this opportunity is not lost".