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October 21, 2005

Hariri Killing Called Terrorist Act

Released yesterday, the UN report of the assassination of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri indicates that it was a terrorist act planned by high-ranking Syrian and Lebanese intelligence officers. Frankly, the report only voiced what everyone knew or strongly suspected. Hariri and 15 others died when a six-car convoy was bombed in downtown Beirut. It wasn't an accident nor a suicide.

Chief UN investigator Detlev Mehlis identified several Syrian and Lebanese suspects;

Syrian Major General Asef Shawkat,
Syrian Lt. General Rustom Ghazali,
Syrian former Presidential Aide Farouq Al-Sahraa,
Lebanese Major General Jamil al-Sayyed,
Lebanese Brigadier General Mustapha Hamdan, and
Lebanese Major General Ali Hajj.

Each of the suspects has a history of high-level political and military nefariousness. And, one particularly damning entry in the report, Brigadier General Hamdan accused Hariri of being pro-Israel and is quoted as stating, "We are going to send him on a trip -- bye, bye Hariri." Belligerent? I'd say.

In response, Syrian Information Minister Mehdi Dakhlallah stated that the UN report was "politicized," "false," and "far from professional." Damascas is obviously embarrassed and expects the investigation results will lead to increased international pressure on Syrian President Bashar Al Assad to cooperate with the inquiry, to quit helping Palestinian terrorists, and to stop supporting instability in Lebanon and Iraq.

Four pro-Syrian security chiefs in Lebanon have been arrested and charged with murder on the recommendation of UN investigator Detlev Mehlis. Already, an anti-Syrian member of the Lebanese Parliament, Jibran Tueini, has called for President Emile Lahoud to step down.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 04:30 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 266 words, total size 2 kb.

1 I bet Syria, and Lebanon officials are staying awake at night, knowing that the United "toothless" Nations are about to exercise their gums on them? Will they issue a strongly worded letter?, another useless sanction? or a scathing speech in the U.N? I'm sure the response will be "strong" enough, to make them consider blowing up anyone who they label an enemy, and just chance another useless U.N finding.

Posted by: dave at October 21, 2005 07:44 AM (CcXvt)

2 Well, lessee, with Iraq, Bush has sprinkled Flea Powder on the Dog's A**hole. Do ya suppose he might finally be interested in the whole dog?

Posted by: large at October 21, 2005 10:29 AM (Ny1Tj)

3 I think Bush is going to keep pretending that Iran, Syria, China, Pakistan, et al, don't even exist as long as he's in office, and he's leaving them for the next poor bastard. Maybe he's doing so because he thinks Hitlery will win in '08, and he doesn't want her to have it too easy. Sometimes politics is the practice of taking the worst course of action so that your enemy won't be able to benefit from the good that you might have done otherwise.

Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at October 21, 2005 11:55 AM (0yYS2)

4 Such deductive insight from the UN! What convinced them it wasn't suicide.

Posted by: hondo at October 21, 2005 01:11 PM (bayez)

5 Nicely written. Anyone who suggests that President Bush isn't doing anything about this is yanking their own chain. He has been in Syria for a long time now. Where have you been? Oh! I forgot. No one was supposed to know! lol. On the serious side, remember we were told were told that everything being done would not be able to be discussed? It isn't just because of the NY Times, et al. It is a very dangerous line we are walking. I do not think he wants the world to be at any more anxiety than necessary.