NNA - U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly led a remembrance with embassy staff to mark the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Ain El Mraiseh, Beirut. The ceremony, which took place at the current Embassy compound in Awkar, included American and Lebanese embassy staff, survivors, and family members of the victims. An honor guard was present at the ceremony and, following a moment of silence, wreaths were laid in honor of the victims at the Embassy memorial.


On April 18, 1983 a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle laden with 2,000 pounds of explosives in front of U.S. Embassy Beirut, causing massive devastation in what was then the single largest attack on U.S. diplomatic facilities. This act of terrorism resulted in the deaths of 52 Embassy personnel and several bystanders, with over 100 American and Lebanese wounded.


In her remarks, Ambassador Connelly stated, "For Lebanese, these dangers were nothing new. Eight years into your own war at that time, senseless killing and random destruction were all too familiar. The Americans and Lebanese working in Embassy Beirut in 1983 were striving to return stability to Lebanon and the region. The saying goes, 'They came in peace.' And so they did. The very presence of the embassy was an assertion of hope - that Lebanon would soon return to normal life. Unfortunately, many more years were to pass before Lebanon achieved a degree of stability. Even today, Lebanon's normalcy is a fragile thing that requires constant attention."


"In 1983, the staff of Embassy Beirut came in peace but a terrorist group chose them as its target?but ultimately the terrorists failed. Because Embassy Beirut reestablished itself here, on this compound, and went back to work. And when terrorists chose to attack us again in 1984, they found it was harder to kill us. We went back to work again and we have worked hard ever since, day in, day out. We come in peace every day and we always will."


"We cannot bring back those whom we lost in 1983 and 1984. But we can honor their memories and the memories of all those who have fallen to terrorism by ensuring we do not lack conviction ? We will uphold the U.S. commitment to a sovereign, independent, and stable Lebanon, because in a truly sovereign Lebanon, in a truly independent Lebanon, in a truly stable Lebanon, the terrorists will not thrive. The terrorists will not survive."


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