Saleh al Aridi

Saleh al Aridi ( _ar. صالح العريضي) (1957 - 10 September, 2008) was a Lebanese politician. A Druze member of the Lebanese Democratic Party, who was killed in a car bomb attack near his house in the village of Baysour, located in the Aley District of Mount Lebanon.

Political background

Aridi was pro-Syrian [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24331560-15084,00.html] and was a close adviser to Talal Arslan, head of the LDP. He helped bridge differences within the Lebanese Druze community during the 2008 conflict in Lebanon, specially between Talal Arslan and Walid Jumblatt.

Assassination

He was assassinated at his house, in a an attack that also injured six others on 10 September, 2008. [ [http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/09/2008910191932791866.html Car bomb kills Lebanese politician] Al Jazeera,retrieved 11 September, 2008] He was buried on Friday September 12 2008 in the family's cemetery. [ [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b55fd7d6-800a-11dd-99a9-000077b07658.html “Lebanon assassination raises tensions”] Financial Times retrieved September 11, 2008 ]

Reaction

The Syrian foreign ministry said: "Syrian firmly denounces the criminal and terrorist act which claimed the life of Saleh Aridi. Syria is convinced that such crimes that target security and stability in Lebanon will not achieve their objectives." [http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=123&art_id=nw20080911141903200C779231]

The Unites States State Department spokesman Sean McCormack also condemned the car bombing assassination. He added: "The United States is deeply concerned about the latest violence in Lebanon. Our support for the Lebanese government and its democratic institutions is unwavering. "This support is a reflection of our unshakable commitment to the Lebanese people and their hope for democratic change and economic prosperity."http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hygYNMJd5yQFciyOLO5NmxPEvInQ]

ee also

* 2008 conflict in Lebanon
* List of attacks in Lebanon

References