World Condemns Shatah's 'Cowardly' Murder, Describes him as 'Wise' and 'Tolerant'

The International community condemned on Friday the “cowardly” assassination of former Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah in a car bombing in Beirut, describing him as a “wise” and “tolerant” man.

“Sad news from Beirut,” British Foreign Secretary William Hague said via twitter.

“My thoughts and sympathy with the people of Lebanon and the families of all those killed,” he said.

British Ambassador Tom Fletcher also took to twitter to condemn the “cowardly assassination.”

“Shatah was a wise, tolerant, smart patriot,” he said.

“His courage not that he knew risks but that he believed Lebanon worth taking them for,” he said.

The diplomat said Shatah was “determined to honor his memory by support to justice, rule of law and stability for Lebanon.”

“Thoughts also with families of all those who lost loved ones, and with emergency services as they respond to this heinous act of terror,” Fletcher tweeted.

Shatah, who was ex-Premier Saad Hariri's adviser, was on the way to a meeting at Hariri's downtown residence when the bomb hit his car.

French Ambassador Paoli described Shatah as a “moderate” man and “the symbol of tolerance.”

He told Future TV's reporter at Center House that French President Francois Hollande held a telephone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman to express his condolences.

The diplomat called for unity saying Lebanon was in danger.

The United States condemned in the “strongest terms the terrorist attack that killed former Finance Minister Mohammad Shatah.”

“Shatah had a long history of promoting Lebanon’s stability and democratic principles in both Lebanon and abroad through his work within the Lebanese government, as Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United States, and at the International Monetary Fund,” said the U.S. embassy in a statement.

The U.S. extends its deepest condolences to Shatah’s family, as well as to the families of everyone killed and injured in the blast.

“We expect that the Lebanese authorities will take the necessary actions to investigate thoroughly and bring those involved in today’s attack to justice,” it continued.

“We reiterate our support for the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces as legitimate government institutions that protect and serve all Lebanese,” it stressed.

“Today’s attack only reinforces the United States’ commitment to advocate for implementation of United Nation Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701, the Taef Agreement and Baabda Declaration as the means to support a stable, secure and free Lebanon,” concluded the embassy statement.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs also condemned the “terrorist” attack in downtown Beirut.

Talking to IRNA news agency, Hossein Amir-Abdollahiyan said: "The enemies of Lebanon are taking aim at all sides.”

He added: “Perpetrators of such moves are seeking to create new strife in the country.”

He expressed confidence that Lebanese officials and political factions will “foil all the evil attempts through vigilance.”

In its condemnation statement, the Arab League urged all Lebanese parties to exercise self-restraint.