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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">February 13, 2007 <i>(11:35 a.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 23</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">MINISTER MACKAY ISSUES STATEMENT MARKING THE
ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASSASSINATION OF FORMER LEBANESE
PRIME MINISTER RAFIK HARIRI</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today issued the following statement to mark the second
anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on
February 14, 2005: </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Rafik Hariri was a strong and inspired leader who was committed to Lebanon’s
independence and full sovereignty. He died at the hands of those who do not believe in
a free, democratic, pluralistic and modern Lebanon. Two years after his tragic murder,
he is deeply missed. We reiterate our call to bring those responsible to justice.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“We urge all of the communities in Lebanon, in a spirit of compromise and respect for
their legitimate democratic institutions, to build consensus through dialogue in order to
resolve their political differences. Canada reiterates its support for the United Nations
resolutions aimed at strengthening Lebanon’s democratic development and
guaranteeing its security and sovereignty. Canada fully supports the leadership of
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora at this important time.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“The attacks on innocent civilians today in Lebanon demonstrate once again the need
for dialogue. Canada condemns this cowardly act of terror. We call for calm and for the
perpetrators to be brought to justice. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families
of the victims.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220181857/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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