By Xinhua
Washington : The United States supports efforts for “a strong, democratic state” in Lebanon, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement on Thursday.
In commemoration of third anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, Rice said the United States, together with the international community, will not rest until Lebanon’s calls for peace, justice, and freedom have been answered.
Also on Thursday, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters the anniversary “is a reminder to the world and to people of Lebanon about the sacrifices that many around the world and in Lebanon are making to build a strong, democratic state.”
“And it is also a date on which we will take the opportunity to underline to the Lebanese people that we are fully supportive and stand with those who want to build a better Lebanon, a free Lebanon, a democratic Lebanon and one that stands independent and unfettered from foreign interference,” the spokesman said.
During the latest three years, Lebanon has been rocked by a series of blasts, which started with the Oct. 1, 2004 assassination attempt against Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamade.
On Feb. 14, 2005, former Premier Rafik Hariri was killed along with 22 other people in a massive bombing explosion in Beirut.