LABANESE FORMER FINANCE MINISTER AND EX-PM ADVISOR KILLED IN BEIRUT BLAST
Beirut, 24 Shafar 1435/27 December 2013 (MINA) – Lebanese media outlets have confirmed the death of former finance minister, Mohamed Chatah and senior advisor to ex-Lebanese prime minister, Saad Hariri in a strong explosion in Beirut on Friday.
The blast went off a few hundred metres from the government headquarters and parliament building, Ahram Online quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
A Red Cross source told Lebanon’s Future TV channel that at least five people were killed in the attack and 78 injured. The blast destroyed six buildings, 14 shops and 42 cars.
Chatah was Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington and a prominent economist. He served as an advisor to the government of ex-premier Fouad Saniora and his successor Saad Hariri whose father, Rafik, was assassinated in a massive car bomb in 2005.
According to AFP, he was killed as he headed to Saad Hariri’s mansion in the city centre of Beirut to attend a meeting of the March 14 anti-Syria coalition which backs the Syrian opposition to the Assad regime.
Future TV said Saniora and a number of leading figures in the March 14 Coalition, will issue a press statement about Friday’s explosion in the coming hours.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati denounced Chatah’s assassination in a statement via Twitter, expressing hope that Lebanon would not suffer “more tragedies, devastation and harm.”
“We condemn ex-minister Mohamed Chatah’s killing, which targeted a political, academic and moderate person who had faith in dialogue, logic and the right to dissent,” Mikati said.
Mikati revealed that he had had consultations with President Michel Suleiman over the killing and the required response.
Former Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa announced his shock at Chatah’s killing via a statement on Twitter.
“I mourn one of the best people I met in Lebanon. I offer my condolences to his family, his brotherhood and his beloved, as well everybody that knew him,” he said.
Moussa added: I condemn this terrorist act and call on governments to prevent the Arab world becoming an arena of blood.
Lebanon has seen a wave of bombings over the past months as tensions rise over Syria’s civil war. (T/P09/P04).
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
