Lebanese Information Centre (LIC) Statement on the
Latest Criminal Explosion in Beirut
January 15, 2008
Savagery struck once again in Beirut Lebanon today. This time, the terrorists targeted both Lebanese civilians and American diplomats, with the obvious purpose of plunging Lebanon even deeper into crisis and sending a threatening message to nations that are trying to assist the Lebanese, especially the United States of America.
Regrettably, this kind of violence will continue as long as the Syrian- and
Iranian-supported Lebanese opposition pursues its agenda of crippling the
Lebanese Government; allowing the influx of arms and terrorists through the
porous borders with Syria to strengthen the “islands of insecurity” controlled
by Hezbollah and the Palestinians; and to turn those islands of lawlessness into
havens for bombers and assassins and into launching pads for operations similar
to this latest terrorist act.
Expressions of indignation and words of condemnation have proven futile if they
are not followed by serious actions to confront and destroy the sources of this
terror. While some policymakers are still betting on peace efforts to produce
diplomatic solutions, the supporters of the terrorists who are killing our
soldiers in Iraq and spreading death and destruction throughout the region are
openly in a proxy state of war against America. Syria and Iran see the battle of
Lebanon as a must-win in order for them to defeat the US. They realize that the
stabilization of Lebanon would be detrimental to their ability to spread their
influence and to protect their oppressive regimes.
It is imperative for the US, for its allies and for other friends of Lebanon in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world to devise a plan for immediate and decisive actions that leaves all options on the table. Syria and Iran represent a clear and growing threat to world peace. If the bleeding of Lebanon is not stopped, they will conveniently control the weakened country and turn it into a dangerous haven for extremism. The dictators of Syria and Iran are betting that their terror would erode the will of the Lebanese people and would shake the resolve of the free world. They should be faced with a strong determination to render them harmless as soon as possible.
The Lebanese Information Center in the U.S. extends its deepest sympathy to
the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery for the injured. At the
same time, we express our heartfelt appreciation for the United States
Government, its Administration and Congress, for their noble commitment to
uphold the sovereignty and freedom of Lebanon.