The assassination of Lebanese Brigadier General Francois al-Hajj in a large explosion which hit a Christian suburb east of Beirut on Wednesday has sent shock waves throughout the world.

The death of general al-Hajj, who was set to become Lebanon’s army chief, and the fact that this murder follows a series of similar assassinations of key Lebanese figures have deepened the crisis that the Middle Eastern country is facing. General al-Hajj was the ninth casualty in a string of killings targeting mainly anti-Syrian Lebanese political figures since 2005.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon disapproved the assassination of the Lebanese army general in an official statement released on Wednesday and took the opportunity to call the people of the troubled country to calm and restraint.

Lebanon is facing a heavy political crisis over electing a president. The killing of Brig. Gen. Francois al-Hajj, who was head of army operations and the main contender to replace military chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, who is set to be elected president next week, led to the deepening of the Lebanese crisis.

"The Secretary-General was outraged by yet another terrorist attack in Lebanon. The Secretary-General strongly condemns this act of violence and terror on the Lebanese Armed Forces, a symbol of Lebanon's sovereignty," said Ban’s spokeswoman.

The United States is also strongly condemning the assassination. White House National Security Council Spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the killing of General al-Hajj came at a crucial time and will hinder Lebanon’s efforts to maintain a democratically-elected government.

Johndroe added that the U.S. President’s will continue to support the Lebanese people in their efforts to keep away those who try to undermine their security and freedom.

The United States is condemning the killing of General al-Hajj as another vicious and cowardly attack against Lebanon and its institutions, and it is reiterating that Lebanese should be allowed to determine their political future without foreign interference or influence.

For the past assassinations the U.S. have said that Syria was involved, but in this case, State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said that the U.S. officials have no information about those responsible

"Today's heinous attack comes at a crucial time for the future of the Lebanese people when a minority in Lebanon's opposition is blocking the holding of presidential elections," US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
This assassination caused a delay that marks the eight time the vote has been postponed because of discrepancies between the governing coalition opposed to Syrian influence in the country and the opposition backed by Damascus.