US embassy in Lebanon condemns assassination of Mohammad Chatah

The United States condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that killed former Finance Minister Mohammad Chatah, the US Embassy in Lebanon said in a press release on Friday. Minister Chatah had a long history of promoting Lebanon’s stability and democratic principles in both Lebanon and abroad through his work within the Lebanese government, as Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United States, and at the International Monetary Fund, the statement added. The United States extends its deepest condolences to Minister Chatah’s family, as well as to the families of everyone killed and injured today, the statement further said. We expect that the Lebanese authorities will take the necessary actions to investigate thoroughly and bring those involved in today’s attack to justice. We reiterate our support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces as legitimate government institutions that protect and serve all Lebanese, the statement added. The attack reinforces the United States’ commitment to advocate for implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701, the Taif Agreement and Baabda Declaration as the means to support a stable, secure and free Lebanon, the statement noted.