(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Several Lebanese officials denounced the attack on the “Charlie Hebdo” magazine in Paris that claimed the lives of at least 12 people.
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri expressed his warm condolences to the families of the victims and voiced his solidarity with the French people and President Francois Hollande.
“In all cases, the attack on the French capital is a clumsy stab that harms Islam and hundreds of thousands of Muslims who have been living in France for decades, and benefitting from social, political and human rights,” Hariri said.
“It is an attack that could only be executed and planned by those who want to harm Islam and Muslims and set fire to the relations of Arabs and Muslims with the world and other cultures.”
Masked gunmen armed with AK-47s attacked the offices of the French satirical news magazine which has published cartoons of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad. The dead included co-founder Jean “Cabu” Cabut and editor-in-chief Stephane “Charb” Charbonnier.
France raised its terror threat level and stepped up security for media organizations, large stores, and places of worship.
“We will find the people who did this,” French President Francois Hollande said. “France is today shocked by this terrorist attack.”
Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati reportedly called Francois Hollande and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, and offered his condolences on the loss of the 12 victims.
“This attack is utterly condemned and in no way represents the teachings of Islam, not to mention that it smears the image of Islam and Muslims living in Europe,” Mikati said in his cable.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea contacted French Ambassador to Lebanon Patrice Paoli and vehemently condemned the attack. He called it a “barbaric attack” and lambasted the “terror which is striking France and the world.”
In a statement released Wednesday, the ministry noted that Lebanon has repeatedly warned against terrorism that knows no religion and no border.
“Europe specifically is not immune it,” the statement read. On the occasion of the assault, the Foreign Ministry reiterated its call on the international community to work in accordance with international law in order to uproot terrorism that “is linked to ideology and not just geography.”
Prime Minister Tammam Salam called it an “unacceptable and unjustifiable terrorist attack” and expressed “full sympathy and solidarity” with France’s government.