 France on Saturday condemned the recent series of explosions in Lebanon as an "intolerable" attempt to destabilize the country and said it hopes those responsible will be brought to justice. Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said Syria must completely withdraw its troops and intelligence officers from Lebanon to ensure the upcoming elections are free and democratic.
| "Intolerable," is it? That means you're not going to tolerate it. When's the Foreign Legion going to arrive in Beirut? |
Barnier also said France - Lebanon's former colonial ruler - "condemns with the greatest firmness" the latest bombing on Friday in Broumana, a mountain resort overlooking Beirut and the Mediterranean coastline, which injured seven people. The explosion was the fourth in almost two weeks to hit a Christian area, where support for the anti-Syrian opposition is high. The bombings are aimed "at destabilizing Lebanon and the democratic and political process that is underway in this country," said the French foreign minister. "Light will have to be shed on the identities of those responsible for this latest attack and the others," said Barnier, speaking after a meeting in Paris with visiting Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Qidwa.
| Funny thing that — not "funny ha-ha," though — there've been four bombings. Not a single suspect has been named. There hasn't been a word about a clue being found. They do better investigations than that in Somalia, always assuming there's an investigation being done... |
Barnier said France is "watching intently" the discussions in the United Nations on setting up an international inquiry to determine who ordered and executed the attack. |