I am honored, and humbled, to be invited to speak today as we remember, and pay tribute to Lokman Slim. 

I would like to start by conveying my condolences to Monika and Lokman’s family on this second anniversary of his death. 

Lokman’s shocking murder two years ago was above all a loss for Monika, for Lokman’s family, and his friends. 

But it was also a great loss for Lebanon. And for Lebanon’s friends.

In a country renowned throughout this region as a beacon of freedom, and especially freedom of the media and freedom of expression…

Lokman Slim’s assassination was a stark and tragic reminder of the threats to those freedoms. 

The very threats he campaigned against.

Throughout his life, Lokman campaigned for accountability, for justice and for the rule of law.

Two years on, the investigation into his murder has still not concluded. 

Just like, more than two years on, the investigation into the port explosion – an issue on which he worked so hard to expose the truth. 

Lokman’s family deserves justice and closure. 

The families of the victims of the port explosion deserve justice and closure.

The people of Lebanon deserve that too. 

In honoring Lokman’s memory today, and all those journalists who have lost their lives exercising and defending media freedom in Lebanon…

I can assure you that the UK, like other friends of Lebanon here today, will stand firm in support of Lebanon’s media to make sure that freedom of speech, accountability, justice and the truth prevail. 

Thank you.