Blogging from Beirut

Another Fallen Politician

2007-06-13T21:27:00.000Z

"An anti-Syrian Lebanese MP was assassinated today and nine others killed when a car bomb exploded in Beirut.

In one of the deadliest such attacks since the murder of the former prime minister, Rafik Hariri,more than two years ago, the MP, Walid Eido was killed as a car bomb detonated as his vehicle drove by, near the seafront in the Lebanese capital.

His eldest son, two bodyguards and six bystanders were also killed in the explosion, which tore open shop fronts and sent debris raining down on the surrounding area. At least 11 other people were wounded, security sources said."

Continue reading Clancey Chassay in The Guardian

Obituary

Nahr el-Barid Camp

2007-06-03T08:49:00.002Z

Satellite Image of Nahr el-Barid Camp

St. George road opened

2007-05-31T13:03:00.000Z

After being closed for 836 days, Beirut's St. George road was opened today after the crater caused by the bomb that killed Rafic Hariri and his companions was paved. It comes as the UN Security Council approved the establishment of a special tribunal to try the suspects in the killing of Hariri and other political figures.

Cartoon of the Day

2007-05-23T15:29:00.001Z

Steve Bell in the Guardian 23.05.2007

I was told

2007-05-22T20:14:00.000Z

If you think Haifa Wehbe or Hassan Nasrallah or Rafic Hariri are the most famous in Lebanon, think again... It is a 70 year old quiet American called Seymour Hersh.

Since he published in the New Yorker an article that reported "the US is funding alternative Sunni Muslim groups to combat the powerful Shia crescent it perceives to be growing in the Middle East from Iran via Syria to Lebanon and Hizbullah", Hersh has become a star for the pro-Syria politicians.

But where is the evidence?

Blast! and the evidence appears in North Lebanon. As soon as a radical Sunni group under the name of Fateh el-Islam violently ambushed the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese Police, Hersh's story was revived as an evidence to point the blame for the recent clashes towards the pro-West current government.

Excuse me, I miss the logic.

Here Ramsay Short replays the same story with the same mistake contradicting himself:

Short mentions that the leader of Fateh el-Islam "Shaker al-Abssi, was last imprisoned in Syria but subsequently released for the murder of a US diplomat in Jordan"

Yet he mentions that "Fatah al-Islam has not been armed by Syria at all but by Sunni Muslims, and even the Siniora government itself, with money from the Saudis and Americans pledged to Lebanon to help rebuild after last summer's Israeli war on the country."

I wander how the US is funding a militant who murdered one of its diplomats.

Looking at Hersh's story, I see it built on one weak line:

A statement by some obscure former MI6 British intelligence officer called Alastair Crooke, who now works in another obscure thinktank in Beirut called Conflicts Forum. Crooke tells Hersh (probably over a pint) that “The Lebanese government is opening space for these people to come in. It could be very dangerous.” Crooke continues, according to Hersh "that one Sunni extremist group, Fatah al-Islam, had splintered from its pro-Syrian parent group, Fatah al-Intifada, in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp, in northern Lebanon. Its membership at the time was less than two hundred. Crooke “was told that within twenty-four hours they were being offered weapons and money by people presenting themselves as representatives of the Lebanese government’s interests—presumably to take on Hezbollah,”

Who told this Crooke, we don't know.

Did anyone make some logical analysis that these militants came from Syria? - Not necessary.

Being few km from the Syrian borders and having sophisticated weapons? not thought of.

Any linkages with Syria's attempts and threats to hamper the efforts for international tribunal? Maybe a technicality!

Anyone looking at the Iraqi style and how Syria is supporting the militants there with arms and allowing them to pass? Not sure.

It is a shame how a story goes unchecked, I was told!

beirut-bloggers are back

2007-05-21T23:01:00.000Z

Lebanon is back on the headlines, and so we are. It is unfortunate that we are back to cover the bad news that is coming from Lebanon

Clashes between the Lebanese Army and a Palestinian Islamist militant group under the name of Fateh el-Islam in North Lebanon, a bomb in the predominantly Christian Ashrafieh quarter then a bomb in the predominantly Muslim Verdun quarter. All within 48 hours and scores of dead in the North Lebanon clashes and vast damages in the Beirut bombs.

We'll keep you updated with stories, analysis and media coverage

Bashar and his vicious circle

2005-11-13T11:05:00.000Z

'All the President's Men'

2005-09-03T22:21:00.000Z

The four generals of Lebanon's secret police apparatus are docked in jail. The four generals have been charged by the attorney-general for their connection in the killing of former PM Rafik Hariri. This is the first tangible result of the UN committee investigating the killing of former PM - headed by German prosecutor Dehtlev Mehlis.

The 'magnificent four' are President Emile Lahoud's men, who is a former general himself. They are the head of Republican Guard (Lahoud's chief bodyguard), Director-General of Surete General (main intelligence apparatus), head of military intelligence and chief of internal security forces (Police). But it is unfair to imply that those were only Lahoud's men; as a matter of fact the 4+1 (with Lahoud) have been Syria's men in Lebanon until Syria's withdrawal in April '05.

For the last 15 years, those men were the most loyal to the Syrian ruling authority in Lebanon and the masters in Damascus. They used and abused their power to terrorize and prosecute whoever opposed Syria and its policies in Lebanon. Long stories are told about their role in terrorizing journalists, intervening to appoint civil servants, attacking student demonstration, intervening in elections etc...

This is a major development in the investigation but still things to come. Mehlis is interrogating Syrian officials on the 10th of September and this could be the final count-down to know the truth of how and who killed the ex-PM.

If Mehlis succeeds of in his mission, the repercussions of knowing the truth will be unprecedented as it will be the first time to know the truth behind a political assassination in the Middle East - a major step to generate accountable and democratic practices in this part of the world.

- Comic by Savro and Published in al-Balad daily in Beirut showing the four generals in jail and Mehlis announcing this in a press conference

Monday 14 March: PEOPLE WRITING HISTORY

2005-03-14T11:05:00.000Z

Exactly a month ago, Rafik Hariri was killed by a blast that led to a political tsunami in the region - Today hundreds of thousands of Lebanese from all communities, regions and factions are flooding to Central Beirut to say it loud, Freedom, democracy and independence are what they demand.

Could this be history - is dem0cracy spreading in the Arab World through the gates of Beirut?

Well, it looks like Beirut's movement will succeed in nurturing a new era in this part of the world:

Syria is withdrawing!
Most of Lebanese are united (there is still the issue of Hizbullah and his impressive Shiite support)!
People are freely expressing their demands and concerns

is it that simple? I don't think so but it is a good start....

2005-03-08T20:53:00.000Z

Monday's demo by opposition

A demo ....and a demo

2005-03-08T14:30:00.000Z

Today - tuesday 8 March, the streets of Beirut were taken by pro-Syria political groups. A direct response to yesterday's and last week's opposition huge demos. The pro-syria demo is backed and organized by Hizbullah (Party of God), the only 'credible group' that Syria could rely on in these days. It is definetely impressive as hizbullah enjoys a great support among the Shiite community in Lebanon. Today's demo is nothing but a show of force by Syria and its supporters after the opposition was scoring high among the public and in media. It is a message that Syria is sending to the international community (or lets say the Americans) that they are major players in Lebanon.

The truth is that the pro-syria groups are not rare in Lebanon; especially that Syria was breeding them for the last 10 years. They include Hizbullah as a political and military group that fought Israel during their occupation to South Lebanon until year 2000. But they also include a number of politicians and small parties that benefited from the Syrian control since 1990.

The opposition is continuing its movement and today's pro-Syria show on the streets of Beirut would not deter them. I can tell you that politicians might maneuvre but the young who have been rallying everyday since the 'Hariri Blast' are commited to this peacefull and democratic movement.

The Beirut Spring

2005-03-08T14:10:00.000Z

Spring started early this year in Beirut. It started with tragedy on 14th of February when the former PM and leading figure of the opposition was killed with a massive blast. Rafik Hariri was killed instantly by a bomb most properly planted under the road in the posh hotel area in Central Beirut. His killing sparked a popular movement from across Christian and Muslim communities and from across right and left parties demanding the 'deconstruction' of the security apparatus and the government that is backed by the Syrian government and its intelligence in Lebanon. Day by day, the movement is gaining more support. Young and old are gathering every night near Hariri's grave in Central Beirut to demand the resignation of the security officials, government and the withdrawl of Syrian forces and inteligence from Lebanon. This pressure lead to the resignation of the cabinet last Monday in an unprecdented move in Lebanon and the Arab World.
Could this velvet revolution succeed? and is this the first step to spread democracy in the region?
Will keep you updated.....