Mideast situation – US strongly condemns Beirut bombing – USDOS press release/Non-UN document (excerpts)

27 March 2005

United States Strongly Condemns March 26 Bombing in Beirut

State Department calls for Syria's immediate withdrawal from Lebanon

The United States strongly condemns the March 26 bombing in north Beirut, Lebanon, State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli says.

In a statement issued the same day, Ereli noted that this was the third bombing since March 19.  He called for Syria to "completely and immediately" withdraw from Lebanon, in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559.

According to news reports, the bomb exploded in a predominantly Christian neighborhood in Beirut, wounding at least five people and destroying two factories.

Following is the text of the statement:

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U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman
March 26, 2005

Statement by Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman

Lebanon: Beirut Bombing

The United States strongly condemns the bombing which took place in north Beirut the evening of March 26.  We note that this is the third bombing since March 19.

We call on the Lebanese authorities to exercise their responsibility to the Lebanese people to provide for their security and to identify and bring to justice those responsible for these acts.

The Lebanese people have the right to determine their own political future in a climate free of fear and intimidation.  This cannot happen while Syrian military and intelligence forces remain in Lebanon, where they are a source of instability.  Syria must withdraw completely and immediately from Lebanon, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559.