Armed assault against the Syriac Union of Lebanon Party Leader Mr. Ibrahim Mrad

ibrahim-mrad.jpgThe Right Honourable Fouad Siniora MP
Prime Minister of the Republic of Lebanon
Brussels, 21st April 2009
Re: Armed assault against the Syriac Union of Lebanon Party Leader Mr. Ibrahim Mrad
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
The leader of the Syriac Union of Lebanon Party Mr. Ibrahim Mrad was attacked by two armed
unknown persons a few days ago.
Mr. Mrad is a very important leader for the Syriacs in Lebanon and a highly valued person for the
Syriacs worldwide. In the last few years, as the president of the Syriac Union of Lebanon, Mr. Mrad
has managed to accomplish some significant services for the Syriac community in Lebanon and has
strengthened the relations between the Syriacs and the Lebanese government. Mr. Mrad is not only
fond of the Syriac community, but also one of your citizens who actively defend the interests and the
democracy of Lebanon.
Lately, due to these important activities Mr. Mrad has been receiving threats from some groups and
the latest threat came a few days ago when some armed men threatened him with death.
The European Syriac Union (ESU) highly values Mr. Mrad for his exertions for the Syriacs as well
as for Lebanon and perceives the Syriac Union of Lebanon Party as a brother party.
The Syriac people are one of the essential populations of the Middle East. However, for many
centuries they have decreased in numbers due to the wrong policies they faced. The continuity of
the existence of the Syriacs in the Middle East is not only important for the Syriacs, but also for the
Arab world in general. The existence of the Syriacs does not bring any harm to anybody in the
Middle East; in fact it is an important richness of the whole region. Thus, any attack carried out
against the Syriacs or their representatives, is also an attack that significantly harms the democracy
of the Middle East in General.
Accordingly, we consider this attack that has been carried out against Mr. Mrad as an attack that has
targeted both, the Syriac community as well as the democracy and the stability of Lebanon.
Mr. Prime Minister, we are aware of the sensitive issues that your state is going through and we
beleive that keeping the Syriacs out of the chaotic situations would be for the benefit of Lebanon.
Therefore, we kindly ask you to use all the necessary means available and provide the leader of the
Syriac Union of Lebanon Party Mr. Ibrahim Mrad with the security measures he needs.
Yours sincerely,
Ä°skender Alptekin
The President of ESU