Lebanon lost an anti-Syrian parliamentarian today in an explosion in a Christian suburb east of Beirut. At least four other people were killed and about 30 people injured.
It’s no surprise that the attack comes as the country prepares to elect a new president. Antoine Ghanem, 64, a deputy in the Lebanese Phalange Party, was among those killed in the blast.
Ghanem’s death reduces the ruling majority vote in the Parliament, with pro-government lawmakers holding 68 seats out of 128, compared to the opposition’s 59.
In a White House press briefing today Press Secretary Dana Perino expressed the White House’s response to the killings.
“We strongly condemn the assassination of a Lebanese member of parliament, Antoine Ghanem. He was viciously murdered today in Beirut, along with several other innocent persons,” Perino said.
The White House also clearly expressed their stance. “The United States will continue to stand by those Lebanese who continue to courageously stand up for democracy and independence,” Perino furthered.
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