The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, strongly condemns the death of IPI member Gebran Tueni, editor and general manager of the Beirut independent daily An-Nahar.

A prominent journalist and an opposition Member of Parliament, Tueni was killed along with three others on 12 December in an explosion that targeted his convoy as it travelled through the eastern Christian suburb of Mukhallis, northeast of Beirut. At least 10 cars were destroyed in the blast.

The convoy was travelling just a few kilometres from the headquarters of the UN team investigating the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri. The attack took place just hours before the team is to present its findings to the UN Security Council.

Tueni was well known for his outspoken criticism of Syrian influence in Lebanon and was one of the first Lebanese editors to publicly condemn the pro-Syrian regime through his columns and public statements.

Since Hariri’s assassination in February, there have been at least 14 bomb attacks in Beirut’s Christian and anti-Syrian neighbourhoods; most of these have targeted journalists and politicians.

Speaking about the attack, IPI Director Johann P. Fritz said, “This tragic incident takes place just months after television journalist May Chidiac lost a leg and an arm when a bomb placed in her car detonated on 25 September. Prior to that, Tueni’s colleague from An-Nahar, prominent columnist Samir Qassir, was killed in a car bomb that exploded near his home on the morning of 2 June.”

“Tueni’s death offers further proof that the situation for journalists in Lebanon is becoming increasingly volatile. We call on the Lebanese authorities to immediately carry out a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible for Tueni’s death do not go unpunished.”