Washington, October 24: The United States is using the 26th anniversary of the bombing deaths in Beirut of 241 American servicemen, mainly Marines, to prod Lebanon to end political infighting and seat a government to help bring stability to a still volatile Middle East.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs called the 1983 truck bombing of a Marine barracks in the Lebanese capital a senseless tragedy. The Marines were peacekeepers early in the Lebanese civil war.
“In remembering this terrible day of loss,” Gibbs said Friday, “we are at the same time hopeful that a new government in Lebanon will soon be formed. We look forward to working with a Lebanese government that works actively to promote stability in the region and prosperity for its people.”
Fruitless negotiations have continued since June.
–Agencies