Lebanese Information Centre (LIC) Statement on the Latest Criminal Explosion in Beirut
January 15, 2008

Savagery struck once again in Beirut Lebanon today. This time, the terrorists targeted both Lebanese civilians and American diplomats, with the obvious purpose of plunging Lebanon even deeper into crisis and sending a threatening message to nations that are trying to assist the Lebanese, especially the United States of America.

Regrettably, this kind of violence will continue as long as the Syrian- and Iranian-supported Lebanese opposition pursues its agenda of crippling the Lebanese Government; allowing the influx of arms and terrorists through the porous borders with Syria to strengthen the “islands of insecurity” controlled by Hezbollah and the Palestinians; and to turn those islands of lawlessness into havens for bombers and assassins and into launching pads for operations similar to this latest terrorist act.
Expressions of indignation and words of condemnation have proven futile if they are not followed by serious actions to confront and destroy the sources of this terror. While some policymakers are still betting on peace efforts to produce diplomatic solutions, the supporters of the terrorists who are killing our soldiers in Iraq and spreading death and destruction throughout the region are openly in a proxy state of war against America. Syria and Iran see the battle of Lebanon as a must-win in order for them to defeat the US. They realize that the stabilization of Lebanon would be detrimental to their ability to spread their influence and to protect their oppressive regimes.

It is imperative for the US, for its allies and for other friends of Lebanon in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world to devise a plan for immediate and decisive actions that leaves all options on the table. Syria and Iran represent a clear and growing threat to world peace. If the bleeding of Lebanon is not stopped, they will conveniently control the weakened country and turn it into a dangerous haven for extremism. The dictators of Syria and Iran are betting that their terror would erode the will of the Lebanese people and would shake the resolve of the free world. They should be faced with a strong determination to render them harmless as soon as possible.

The Lebanese Information Center in the U.S. extends its deepest sympathy to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery for the injured. At the same time, we express our heartfelt appreciation for the United States Government, its Administration and Congress, for their noble commitment to uphold the sovereignty and freedom of Lebanon.