By KUNA
Paris : French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner expressed sadness here Thursday on the third anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, who died in a car bomb attack in central Beirut on February 14, 2005.
“On this sad anniversary of the assassination…I want to associate myself in my own name and in the name of all French people with the mourning of all the Lebanese people, as well as with those of the families and dear ones of the deceased,” Kouchner said in a statement.
He praised Hariri for his role in fighting for “the stability, the unity, sovereignty and independence” of Lebanon, aims which he said remain very much on the agenda today.
The French Minister vowed that France and the international community would remain at Lebanons side in seeking to attain these objectives.
He also solemnly reiterated Frances “firm condemnation” of all attacks committed in Lebanon, especially since 2004 and he said that those responsible must be brought to justice.
“I thus praise the announcement by the Secretary General of the United Nations concerning the implementation of the steering committee of the special tribunal and the positive indications on obtaining the necessary financing for the establishment and functioning of the Tribunal in its first year,” Kouchner observed.
The Special Tribunal was set up by the UN last year to investigate the Hariri killing and it could also examine the murder of politicians and journalists over the past three years.
The Secretary Generals actions are “important steps forward” and have now “confirmed the irreversibleness of the implementation of the Tribunal,” Kouchner affirmed.
He also reaffirmed “the support of France for the legitimate authorities of Lebanon, and in particular to the government and to its army in their difficult mission of maintaining the stability of the country”.
The Minister added that France was continuing to call for the election of a “consensus President” in Lebanon, in line with the proposals put forward by the Arab plan.
He invited “all parties, in Lebanon and outside of Lebanon, to assume their responsibilities” and do everything to end the dangerous vacuum at the head of the Lebanese State.