Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18), the Co-Chair of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus, released the following statement on the tragic murder of Lebanese activist and vocal Hezbollah critic Lokman Slim:
"I am shocked and saddened to hear of the assassination of Lebanese activist Lokman Slim. We must not let violence, threats, or political corruption from groups like Hezbollah and others meant to silence opposition continue within Lebanon. The entities or people responsible for Mr. Slim’s murder need to be arrested and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Lebanon’s fragile democracy demands that its justice system act swiftly and decisively to apprehend those responsible. The message must be sent that this type of criminality will not be tolerated.
"As the Co-Chair of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, I continue to advocate for a stable, prosperous, democratic, and independent Lebanon. My condolences are with Mr. Slim's family and I echo the calls for a full investigation and accountability for those responsible.”
Congressman Darin LaHood has been co-chair of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus since 2018 and been a member of the caucus since 2015. Congressman LaHood's great-grandparents immigrated to the United States to central Illinois from Aitou, Lebanon. Peoria, Illinois is home to one of the largest Lebanese populations in the United States.
###
