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Mahmoud Zayyat / AFP - Getty Images
BEIRUT - Protesters burned tires and set up roadblocks around Lebanon on Saturday in a sign of boiling anger over the killings of a top security official and seven others, while Lebanon's prime minister said he suspected a Syrian connection in the bombing.
At a press conference, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he suspected the bombing was related to the indictment in August of former minister Michel Samaha, a supporter of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, over a plot allegedly aimed at stoking violence in Lebanon.
"I cannot separate in any way the crime that took place yesterday and the discovery of the conspiracy against Lebanon in August," he said.
Other Lebanese politicians have also accused Assad of being behind the attack, deepening fears that Syria's sectarian-tinged civil war is spreading to its neighbor.
NBC News producer Paul Nassar reported an unusual calm had swept over Beirut.
"The city is dead, absolutely quiet," Nassar, reporting from Beirut, said. "All the major shopping districts are closed -- this city would usually be brimming with activity, but now, nothing."
Nassar added that the bomb was an especially devastating blow to the city because it came on the cusp of the major Islam holiday Eid, which starts next weekend.
"Hotels that were close to capacity are now looking at 20 percent" of rooms full after tourists scrambled to cancel their reservations, Nassar reported.
In the eastern Bekaa Valley region, the Lebanese army opened fire on a group who were blocking a road to protest the bomb attack, wounding two people.
"The Lebanese army were trying to open the road and started firing their guns," a witness from the village of Bar Elias, told The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Cabinet held an emergency meeting as the country's opposition called for Mikati to resign.
The government declared a national day of mourning for the victims, who included Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan, head of the intelligence division of Lebanon's domestic security forces. Dozens were wounded in Friday's blast in Beirut's mainly Christian Achrafieh neighborhood.
Many observers said the attack appeared to have links to the Syrian civil war, which has been raging for 19 months. Al-Hassan, 47, headed an investigation over the summer that led to the arrest of former Information Minister Michel Samaha, one of Syrian President Bashar Assad's most loyal allies in Lebanon.
Samaha, who is in custody, is accused of plotting a campaign of bombings and assassinations to spread sectarian violence in Lebanon at Syria's behest. Also indicted in the August sweep was Syrian Brig. Gen. Ali Mamlouk, one of Assad's highest aides.
Al-Hassan also played a role in the investigation of the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri with a massive truck bomb. A U.N.-backed tribunal has indicted four members of militant group Hezbollah, which along with its allies, now holds a majority in Lebanon's Cabinet. Hezbollah denies involvement in Hariri's killing and has refused to extradite the suspects.
Al-Hassan's department also had a role in breaking up several Israeli spy rings inside Lebanon over the past few years, Lebanese officials said.
Lebanon's fractious politics are closely entwined with Syria's. The countries share a web of political and sectarian ties and rivalries, often causing events on one side of the border to echo on the other. Lebanon's opposition is an anti-Syrian bloc, while the prime minister and much of the government are pro-Syrian.
The civil war in Syria has laid bare Lebanon's sectarian tensions as well.
Many of Lebanon's Sunni Muslims have backed Syria's mainly Sunni rebels, while Shiite Muslims have tended to back Assad. Al-Hassan was a Sunni whose stances were widely seen to oppose Syria and Shiite Hezbollah, the country's most powerful ally in Lebanon.
Lebanon's top Sunni cleric, Grand Mufti Mohammed Rashid Kabbani, condemned the assassination, calling it a "criminal explosion that targets Lebanon and its people." He called for self-restraint saying that "the criminal will get his punishment sooner or later."
Police and army troops sealed off the site of Friday's blast as military intelligence agents investigated what was the deadliest bombing in Beirut in four years.
Sharbal Abdo, a Beirut resident who lives down the block from where the car bomb detonated, on Saturday brought his six-year-old son Chris and 12-year-old daughter Jane to see what happened the day before. They were both at school when the blast ripped through the area.
"They were very afraid yesterday, and cried a lot late into the night," Abdo said. "Today I decided to bring them here and show what happened. They need to face this situation. It may be their future."
On Friday, protesters in mostly Sunni areas closed roads with burning tires and rocks in Beirut, the southern city of Sidon, the northern city of Tripoli and several towns in the eastern Bekaa Valley.
The highway linking central Beirut with the city's international airport was closed, as well as the highway that links the capital with Syria, the officials said on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Rafik Khoury, editor of the independent Al-Anwar daily, said the assassination was an attempt to draw Lebanon into the conflict in Syria, which has been the most serious threat to the Assad family's 40-year dynasty.
"The side that carried the assassination knows the reactions and dangerous repercussions and is betting that it will happen. Strife is wanted in Lebanon," Khoury wrote.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- Pakistani girls endeavor for education
- Newlywed Afghan beheaded for her refusal to become prostitute
- Armageddon scenario: US, Israel ready for huge joint drill in Iran's shadow
- Beirut car bomb blast kills top intelligence official
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Holy Cow, I don't want your Holy War. Killing for Religion, is something that I don't understand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSi46iIJrso
This is an ever increasing regional conflict. The keyword is regional, not global. But, Romney wants to take action in Syria to help fill the pockets of his PRIVATE government contractor friends.
Religious ideology may be a factor here, but the war is spreading because Iran wants to control Lebanon, and Syria has always considered Lebanon as "greater Syria". Controlling Lebanon politically through Hezbollah, and now militarily, will allow Iran to establish a border with Israel. The political factor is the bigger factor here.
So how is that stellar foreign policy plan of yours working out Mr. President?
What was that? Oh you don't have one, you just go apologize to the world and expect everybody to start loving us and each other again? Ya, I can see it worked.
John Hunt: No worries, Obama already picked sides, with the 'muslim brotherhood'. So relax,.. I'm sure everything will turn out OK. Wouldn't be surprised if they find that US supplied munitions were used in this attack.
Kinda funny,..how Obama didn't waste any time in calling this a terrorist attack, sure didn't wait 2 weeks!
@farideh kashanian: Well said.
@John Doe: War is not the answer.
Where o where are Hillary and BO?
Must be out politicking.
John Hunt. Get real! The last thing we need is for Al Qaeda and Hezbollah to get control of the weapons in Syria. Weapons of mass destruction. I don't know. Are chemical weapons considered mass destruction? Osama Obama would like nothing better thatn to have his Al Qaeda brothers to get a foothold in Syria. Two months ago I bought some Qurans on line. I think I will wipe my rump with some pages and start a small fire! I've been burning pages every morning since they arrived. I think that I should start taking pictures and post them on You tube. I think the title should be; "Osama Obama at a weiney roast".
Yeah. Sooooo........let's go the way of Cowboy Junior instead, eh? And bomb, invade and occupy yet ANOTHER seventh century cat litter box where more of our guys get killed for nothing and get us all a few TRILLION dollars more in debt. AND start World War 3 to boot. Cause, we ALL know that worked out REAL swell in Afghanistan and Iraq; right, sporty????
*Eyes roll*
I can see why they are concerned. They don't want Syrian violence creeping in and diluting their own home grown violence.
These protests are only happing because of that anti-Mohammed movie....just ask Obama.
No, John Hunt, Obama wants to help the Syrian Islamists get control of ex-Christian Lebanon to help his Muslim brethren.
This is not our war. It is time for Saudis to put boots on the ground to break the stranglehold that Iran has put around the middle east.
President Obama has been trying to change the rhetoric of our foreign policy and slightly on margins the core policy. No president could have avoided the removal of Mubarak of Egypt.
President Obama has been trying to change the rhetoric to "Allahu Akbar!"
Our government is doing things right in a lot of the countries over there by standing back and letting the people take action on these heartless freaks.... Education, freedom for women and a highly stepped up security is all thats needed to bring these countries out of the dark ages....
These new times may call for some very radicle tactics in dealing with issues over there.... How ever we need to stop making enemies over there....
"Over a plot allegedly aimed at stoking violence in Lebanon" Is there not violence in Lebanon all the time anyways? Somebody sneezes in the wrong direction and something blows up.
This could get ugly; ugly indeed!
John Doe-2241225
So how is that stellar foreign policy plan of yours working out Mr. President?
========================
What the hell does Obama have to do with Syria vs Lebanon tensions? is it John Doe or John Doh?
The people ranting about Obama would be ranting about Obama no matter what he did. Mindless stupid Fox cows. Very similar to the ignorance on the muslim "street".
What I find amazing is that there are protests in the Middle East that aren't against the United States. Moly hackeral!!!!!
Lebanon, Sudan are some of the examples in 21st how followers of Islamic cult act when they form more than 30 percent.
We see Muslims inventing problems in most of the non-Muslim nations.
Even in the US, we can notice these actions!
When Muslims form more than five percent, downhill march starts.
Muslims are inventing problems in Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, India and other places.
When they form more than 30 percent then it is Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Lebanon (few decades back)
In Muslim majority nations, they kill each other!
Better wake up before it is too late on inventions of problems by followers of Islamic cult!
There is no "right side to back" in either country. Syria has Assad who is a murdering thug and certainly no statesman. The rebels there want to win so they can establish strict Sharia Law throughout Syria which Al-Qaeda, the Saudi's and Qatari's would seriously love. In Lebanon, you have the Hezbolah which should require no introduction. Then, you have both Suuni and other sects again wanting to preserve Sharia Law. One nutcase fighting the other nutcase in both countries. We should supply both sides in both countries ammunition and stock up on beer nuts and Budweisur and watch the show. It doesn't need fixing.
We could invade their country and indulge our John Wayne fantasies, one more time. Or, we could sink that two trillion in our own economy. Decisions, decisions. What do you say, you little Patriot?
Yours is a perfect answer. I don't know why we don't do this in Afghanistan. Just give each opposing party or tribe enough ammunition to kill each other. Keep tabs on them; when one tribe looks like it's on the verge of victory, double the munitions to the other opposing factions. STOP sending our troops over there to get killed- just let them kill each other like they've done for the last thousand years......
My favorite phrase of the day is "Cruise Missle"! Just look for the most dense population and hit the Mosques. If they want Jihad I say give them Crusade. Kill all the males and start over!
Yo Perry. Learn to read.
Whew! I thought it was because they watched a recent episode of Homeland!
Yo bigdaddysdawg-
You sound like a Pabst Blue Ribbon man
more like MD 20/20
Perry that wouldn't work either as they would likely turn the weapons on christians more than on each other just due us suppling them with weapons.... No plan any man has will ever totally work out like you may foresee.... Best way to cope with them is to simply send major funding for schools for both male and female students, and send funding to step up security three times normal to protect our intrest.... That is what they fear most.... Inside a country they could simply issue a weapons ban and give anyone turning weapons in total amnesty for turning them in.... And those who don't turn weapons in, a major warning....
We are sticking our foot in the wrong doors over their.... And this needs to stop bigtime.... I'm sure the major free countries around the world will step in and help too if we initiate a more peaceful approach....
Car bombs : With a stepped up security they can set up road blocks indefinitely every few blocks and search every car,truck and so fourth to cut down on actions like these....
Wars and equipement cost loads of money and we need to stop violence in another way....
evil will always find a way, we need a smarter approach to these issues.... with higher security they stand a better chances of finding those who attempt actions like these....
Men do things to men and god has nothing to do with it....
Warthog
Ummmm...hate to say it, but when you say "need to stop making enemies over there"...I think that you are more than just a little late. Your other suggestions...turn in their guns? Alert: in a part of the world that everybody vies for power and rule, I do not see that as a viable option. Give them money for education? Heightened security? I don't know...sounds just as expensive as war. Like your own words; "evil will always find a way".
See the jokes going in Syria with Sunni Saudi rebels, al-Qaida, MB on one side and the Assad’s forces on the other sides!
Just check all languages of the media, UN Security council, human rights groups, Erdogan’s, and others! These are paid pipers of Sunni Saudis, oil companies and their lobbyists.
Shiites and Sunnis are busy battling whose Allah is greater.
What roles Hillarys, McCains, Netanyahos, Libernanns, Romneys have in Syria and Iran?
If atrocities and barbarism on girls, children and women are the criteria, then the most despotic, autocratic and bigoted Sunni Saudi ruler with his 5000 princes and princesses, Kuwaiti, UAE and other Arab League Sunni rulers and their rich sheiks are the biggest culprits in the history.
Through the Muslim immoral trafficking gangs, these barbarians have assembled all varieties of poor and helpless girls and women from all over the world in their harems and brothels.
In killing of opponents again, these people have established world records in religious battles.
If the US, Britain and others support such Sunni barbarians and beasts who treat girls and women as cheap sex slaves, then one can only conclude that Saudis, oil companies and their lobbyists determine what to see, how to lecture and where and when to act.
Rest like “human rights”, “killing of children and women”, “militants”, “terrorists”, “WMDs”, “chemical weapons” and so on are a pure hoax.
Similar hoaxes were played each time before Iraqi wars on directions of Saudi, oil companies and their lobbyists.
Now none of them are looking into Iraq, where at least a million have been killed and devastated.
We have no roles in Syria and Iran. Keep away from both the Islamic hell holes.
Twice are too much to tolerate.
Muslims protesting?? Now there's a shocker.
These are mainly Christians since it is a Christian district. Notice the women in that picture.
Don't think sandie has any idea what you are talking about.
The Grand Pooba has spoken, now everyone go get your guns and kill all that you can see.
And, don't forget that next week is our great religious holiday, so kill all that you can until then!
And, too those that kill the most, we have the 72 virgins for you. Or, is that a 72 year old virgin?
/end sarcastic rant
Lebanese Christians protest AGAINST the bombings,..and the radical muslims protest in SUPPORT of the bombings. That car bomb went off in a Christian neighborhood, and killed mostly Christians.
Did that clear it up for ya?
Assad is by far the best Muslim ME ruler!
Followers of Islamic cult, especially Sunni Saudi inspired Islamic radicals and militants (al-Qaida, Salaffi, Wahhabi, MB, Taliban and other label ones), are fast marching backwards to their seventh century desert tribal days.
They are indulging in rapings, lootings, killings and genocides of non-Muslims (Darfur, S. Sudan, Nigeria and spreading like wild fire in many regions and Muslims (Libya, Mali, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other places).
Sunni Saudi backed Salaffi and MB new chapters are opening up in Egypt. Just watch the fate of Christians, women and Israel as the time goes by.
Even in Syria, if Assad is overthrown by Sunni Islamic religious Nazis like al-Qaida, MB, the conditions of Christians will be unbearable just like Iraq.
In Afghanistan, half of NATO forces deaths are due to Pakis.
These two "strategic allies" have crippled US and allies so badly that US and allies can't do much anywhere and anything!
Love what Perry had to say. These are Muslim's killing Muslim's and it just goes on and on. As I have said before when they were colonies they were held in check and under control. Folks might find that history distasteful, but it kept the peace for many years. Now look at what we have. Savages being savage, how is that not predictable.
As long as their only killing each other who really cares?
This Islamic civil war has been brewing between the Sunni and Shiite factions for centuries. This spreading of Syria's civil war will allow the Sunni and Shiite factions regionally to take sides as well as causing other nation states to respond militarily to protect their citizenry and sovereignty.
It's very unfortunate that the world is in the 21st century and we're still dealing with tribal religious rivalries of the past. I also find it troubling that some our more hawkish elected officials want the US involved in another shooting war not of our own making. In retaliation of our involvement, some Iranian intelligence force will have Hezbollah and/or Hamas to start shooting rockets or commit other terrorist acts against Israeli citizens. That act will undoubtedly pull Israel into a greater regional conflict that may have some forces in Egypt drawn in also.
In addition to all the above, there are the alleged WMDs somewhere on Syrian soil potentially available for the taking and/or us as this conflict spreads. Folks, this thing can spiral out of control very quickly. There's no easy answer nor is there an easy solution. The only thing the western world can possibly do is to contain it at best while we attempt to get some sort of command and control on those WMDs through the Turks.
Just my two cents ...
Shias, Sunis, Wahhabis, Sufis, Bektashis - all of these goons have been fighting and killing each other for the past f*cking millennium and a half.
NOT our f*cking problem, NOT anything we can do about it if it were.
it's so sad to see so many people suffering over there, regardless of the reason.
i can't help but to put this into the american political line of reasoning to help make a point to all in both situations;
isn't it stupid of me to sya it's "Israel's fault" ? just like over here, it's bush's fault, it's obama's fault, its the dems fault, it's the pub's fault".
the plain simple fact of the matter is, there are many dynamics and not enough compromises in this world today.
Islam is a religion of peace ! or is that pieces ... like blown-up body parts ?
Are all people who call themselves Christians peaceful? Or Jews? or...........?
Yeah, wireman...I see Christians and Jews today all over the world blowing up buildings, killing foreign dignitary and other innocent people all the while proudly dancing in the streets because of what they have done...
azdr166 Too much alcohol is not a good thing.
Take a look at the top image in this article, unfortunatly they don't show you many of these from Lebanon. These are the true Lebanese people. No segregation, no discrimination, no sexism... Walking in/for peace... For a long time they lived in peace with a diverse religious communities from Christians to Muslims and even Jews.
Until Iran, Syria and Hezbolah decided otherwise, and since the country is in a free fall... That's why there are about 3-4 million Lebanese in that country and about 18 million Lebanese outside.
This country had/have a lot to offer and the images portrayed by the media don't reflect what Lebanon is all about. Make your own research and google it, you'll see how different it is from the rest of the Arab world.
Lebanon is unique and different from the rest of the ME. It has always been a place of harmony, peace , business, fashion and fun, and I hope Iran and Syria get the hell out and let it remain that way.
i agree and syria and iran have tried time and avian to destroy lebanon as we know it, and continue to do so.
i have lebanese friends who would love to go back home, hell i'd love to visit there and israel along with most mid-east countries just to see so much history first hand.
unfortunately, that is just not going to happen until the area becomes civilized...probably beyond my lifetime, unless armageddon comes and goes in my lifetime.
A country that allows itself to be run by Hezbollah and the Syrian army should not be shocked by the violence it has brought upon itself.
who says we're okay with it? don't act like you know what's going on in Lebanon. it's been a struggle for so many years and we can't do anything about it because they have weapons so big and powerful they'd blow an entire city with just a click of a button. so please respect what we are going through. nobody deserves this kind of violence. in politics, there are classified material that you and I can never find out whether you are living in the US, Lebanon, or any country of the world; and sometimes the truth is found out by a person so the "bad guys" had to silence him. that's what happened. it's not about Muslims. it's not about Christians, it's not about Jews, it's pure politics and evil power.
Bullcrap... IF this happened in the US, THOUSANDS of Our Citizens, you're truly included, would rise up and STOP the forces hurting Our People. That's just a fact... one they you DON'T do in the US is attack us. The majority of mooooooslims are just cowards.... pure and simple. It's easy to strap a bomb to one's self and push a trigger. You've nothing to lose (except your life.. but you've forefit that already). Pick up a weapon and defend your way of life... not looking to KILL anyone, but willing to SAVE your community, country, and way of life. THAT'S the difference from an American and the rest of the world... we would rather die than lose our freedoms.
It's easy for you to say that because you live in the US and you have never experienced such dark portrayal of power in your country, and you're lucky! But saying is different than doing. I can tell the world about how much i want world peace and all that but will I be able to do what I say? even if i went to the streets and fought for what i believe in, it won't matter because when so many countries conspire against you to keep war going and they keep planting ideas and differences between you and your own neighbors and friends, you won't be able do anything. you become helpless, a mere doll in their games. what is happening in Lebanon is a plan that many countries have fabricated (like Iran, Syria...) to keep chaos in Lebanon because if there weren't, all those countries' plans to control and benefit will be chattered. it's not easy understanding all this and you'll probably never believe me because you've been brainwashed into thinking the opposite. the only way to really understand what's going on in lebanon is by reading its history that will show you what and who we are.
War, hunger, and disease are inevitable.
Hunger and disease should be irrelevant in 2012 because of science being able to cure almost anything as well as being able to create synthetic foods.
If not synthetic foods then there is a problem in several rivers in America where Asian carp like fish have taken over the local fish population. I have watched documentaries where people opreating motorboats in these rivers come back with a boat of fish that fill their boats merely when the boat motors through their area. Yes these Silver Carp jump out of the water and land in the boat. Farming these fish and then sending them to countries in need of food would solve the problem along with giving such areas the ability to use the fish as fertilizer for the seed packets sent along with the fish.
But you know who the real problem is? It's the agencies vested in helping such countries. Sure they paint a depressing view and have you donate your money. Money that is then used to line their pockets with so as little as possible makes its way to such places.
This then causes the programs to run continually so that those who are greedful can make money by feeding off of the hungry and those who feel that they can help.
looks like my last post did a good job of bringing out all the non-compromisers.
just wonderful.
How's that leading from behind working out for ya Barry?
You mean thier not blaming the U.S. Has the president appologized yet ????
Jeez, seems the only thing the whole damn Middle East save for Israel understands is a cruise missile up the a$$! Let's oblige them!
I know how eager all those right wingers that never served in the military are just chomping at the bit to get us into another war but maybe we shouldn't spend another trillion to get kick backs from Haliburton.
BTW when has President Obama ever apologized to anyone? He never has it goes to show that if Faux news repeats something enough times the sheeples will drink it like kool-aid.
Ha ha! Have you checked the polls lately? Seems yer boy Barry is going down in flames... just like Syria and Lebanon! May they all burn in hell together!
Ever notice that the religious right wingers want a fight with the Middle East but will never sign up with the military to engage in such a fight?
Why is that?
Because this is 2012 and the U.S. military is not on a Crusade to regain the Holy Land like they want to believe is happening.
But you can't tell them anything because their walls are too thick with idiocy to penetrate.
Lebanon made the serious mistake of allowing Syria to meddle in their politics, also allowing Iranian backed (terrorist organization) Hezbollah to establish a presence to supply and train Hamas and unaffiliated insurgents for surrounding terror missions. Now, they are going to become embroiled in the Syrian civil war simply because the rebels in Syria do not want Lebanon and Hezbollah meddling in their war. Of course, it could also be that Hezbollah doesn't want Lebanon's legitimate government meddling in their terrorist missions, either. Iran would love nothing better than to cause unrest in every country in the Middle East to justify their building nuclear weapons to 'protect themselves' even though they are the biggest instigator of unrest in the whole region.
Some time ago, the CIA made public an intelligence report saying that Syria was using the Bekaa Valley area to store large chache's of chemical and biological weapons. They claimed they were being guarded by Syrian Baathists all loyal to Assad and Iraqi Baathist once loyal to Saddam, as well as Hezbolah. We now have troops on the ground in Jordan just east of there. One of two things are going to happen. With the numerous cache of Chemical and biological weapons in Syria and in Lebanon, sooner of later Assad will use them, or the rebels will capture them and use them, or the Hezbolah will use them against Israel. Whichever side uses them , we'll be rooting for the other side when fact is, either side will use them first depending on their disadvantage or advantage, and we still won't know which side to back. We need to get the troops off the ground and un-ass the whole AO, because, this isn't going to get better.
Think I will open hot dog stands throughout the middle east. Seems theirs always a steady stream of protesters walking up and down the streets.
Muslims don't eat hot dogs. Make that goat shiskabob and rice.
Americans won't care until the World Oil Supply gets interrupted. Then they will realize, too late, that the insulated American attitude about world affairs is rather like a person ignoring cancer.
Let the UN intervene. And quoting Jeremiah 49:
"I have heard a message from the Lord,
and an Ambassador has been sent to the nations;
Gather together".........Reassemble which is a great word Reassemble someone, somewhere while it is
still "Today" No time like the present!!!
A while back, a couple hundred Christians were masacred over a period of a week in Algieria and Nigeria, and Treyvon Martin got thirty-five times the media coverage and the POTUS saying Treyvon could be his son. If there were 5000 posts on here, i'd still be able to count the number of people who could really give a rat's ass about Arab Christians on my right hand and I'm missing a finger. The whole middle-east could implode for all I care. I don't need oil/fuel. I own a horse.
Love your posts.
Finally Lebanon fingered Syria. Add Iran to the list. Now what are they going to do about it?
I just hope the U.S.A stays out of this, and sits back and watches as these 2 country's kill and maim each other. Then maybe the Middle East will realize, that without a country with brains, they are history!Dumasses!