The assassination of Kassir brought condemnation by the world community. The United Nations, United States and European Union have condemned Samir Kassir's assassination.
Kofi Annan's spokesman said in a statement: "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing of Samir Kassir, a prominent and outspoken Lebanese journalist,"... "The Secretary-General calls on the Lebanese Government to bring to justice the perpetrators and the instigators of today's terrible crime and to ensure an end to impunity and the continuation of press freedom." ... "(Annan) urges all parties to preserve national unity and calm during this important electoral period," it added.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, speaking after a U.S.-EU ministerial meeting, both condemned the death of An Nahar's columnist.
"It's a heinous act," Rice said. She said the killers were not known but pointedly added the assassination came with Lebanon in the midst of legislative elections following the withdrawal of Syrian troops...Obviously someone is trying to intimidate the Lebanese people as they move through this electoral cycle...That I think will not happen because the Lebanese people want to build a new democracy," the chief U.S. diplomat said.
Amnesty International has also expressed concern over the assassination of columnist Samir Kassir, urging authorities to launch " an immediate, independent and impartial investigation," into the killing.
The one-hour protest came in response to a plea from An Nahar's General-Manager Gebran Tueni, who was elected to Lebanon's new parliament on Sunday. Leading the observance, Tueni was flanked by the chairmen of Lebanon's Press Association and Journalists Association, Mohammed Baalbaki and Milhem Karam.
Dozens of opposition leaders, including MP Marwan Hamadeh, also attended the journalists’ protest. All were dressed in white and black clothes and many had red-and-white opposition shawls wrapped around their necks. All six major TV networks of Beirut ran a live coverage of the event.
The black pens held in the event carried Samir Kassir's name on one side and An Nahar's on the other.
An overnight candlelight vigil was earlier staged from Martyrs Square to the scene of the assassination near Kassir's house in Ashrafiyeh, which was led by his daughters Mayssa and Eliana and Rana.
Giselle Khoury, Widow of the slain journalist, who was in the United States when her husband was assassianted, returned immediately to Lebanon and called for immediate investigation of the murder. She also demanded a French Role in the investigation, since Kassir also held French Citizenship. Giselle is a prominent media star and currently works for Al Arabiya , the satellite network, in Lebanon
Police investigators were split Friday over the method with which Samir Kassir was assassinated. There are 2 theories:
First Theory: An explosive charge was rigged into Kassir's car engine that went off as he turned on the ignition.
Second Theory: A bomb was planted under the driver's seat and was detonated by remote control.
The size and weight of the explosive used has also been subjected to speculation. Estimates ranged from 5 to 7.5 kilograms.
There are no leads yet as who the killers were. Opposition has already blamed president Lahoud and Syria. Syria denied any involvement.
Top right hand picture is of a Lebanese journalist holding a pen bearing the name of slain anti-Syrian journalist Samir Kassir during a sit-in at Martyrs Square in Beirut June 3, 2005.
Full coverage from Ya Libnan:
* So who murdered Samir Kassir?
* Lebanon protests another murder: Pictures from Martyrs' Square
* Lebanese Journalists pay tribute to murdered colleague
* Lebanon's murdered journalist: An open letter to the Lebanese
* Vigil held to honor slain journalist in Beirut
* France & Lebanon outraged for assassination of Lebanese Journalist
* Tragedy strikes again in Beirut
* Journalist targeted and killed in Beirut explosion
* Opposition blames Lahoud and Syria for latest assassination
* Anti-Syrian journalist murdered in Beirut
* Photographs of Samir Kassir's tragic crime scene
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