Assassination in Lebanon

Lebanese Christian minister Pierre Gemayel, an outspoken critic of Syria, was assassinated near Beirut on Tuesday, security sources said.

They said gunmen opened fire as his convoy drove through the Christian Sin el-Fil neighborhood. Gemayel was rushed to hospital where he later died of his wounds.

Gemayel, a member of the Christian Phalange Party and industry minister, was the son of former President Amin Gemayel.

He was an opponent of the influence in Lebanon of Syria, who many Lebanese blame for the February 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

The list of who might have been behind the assassination is pretty short: Syria, Syrian supporters, and Hizbullah. All three groups are not above assassinating members of the opposition. Count on them to stonewall and deter investigations from proceeding.

Here's a rundown of those assassinated in since Rafik Hariri was assassinated in February 2005:

Feb. 14 - Former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and 22 others are killed by truck bomb in Beirut. Top aide former economy minister and legislator Basil Fuleihan badly burnt in attack and dies in hospital two months later.

June 2 - Samir Kassir, journalist opposed to Syria's role in Lebanon, is killed in Beirut by bomb in his car.

June 21 - Former Communist Party leader and critic of Syria George Hawi is killed in Beirut by bomb in his car.

July 12 - Car bomb wounds caretaker Defence Minister Elias al-Murr and kills one person in Christian area north of Beirut.

Sept. 25 - May Chidiac, a Christian television journalist critical of Syria, is seriously wounded by bomb in her car. Dec. 12 - Gebran Tueni, staunchly anti-Syrian member of parliament and Lebanese newspaper magnate is killed by a car bomb in Beirut. An unknown group, "Strugglers for the Unity and Freedom of the Levant", claims responsibility.

Feb. 14, 2006 - At least half a million Lebanese pack central Beirut, a year after the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Nov. 21 - Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel is killed by gunmen as his convoy drives through the Christian Sin el-Fil neighbourhood of Beirut.

The NYT subheading says that the assassination will increase political tensions in Lebanon. There's a bit of understatement for you. This is how the opponents of democracy operate. They assassinate their enemies and use fear and intimidation to get their way.

Hizbullah continues to control South Lebanon (aka Hizbullahland). The UN and UNIFIL refuse to adhere to the UN SCRs that require the disarmament of all militias operating in Lebanon - including Hizbullah. The Lebanese military cannot and does not want to get into a conflict with Hizbullah, so everyone proceeds as though no one notices the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Hizbullah is yanking the chain in the Lebanese government, but Syria and Iran both loom in the background calling the shots.

UPDATE:
Hot Air has more, including how Gemayel was shot at point blank range after his car was rammed by the assassin's vehicle. Allah thinks that if it were the Syrians or Hizbullah, it would be the height of stupidity with Hizbullah's demonstrations scheduled to take place in two days and a flurry of diplomatic activity in Damascus between Syria, Iraq, and Iran. I'd argue that Syria simply sees assassination as an extension of its diplomatic posturing in Lebanon. After all, they could claim it wasn't them, and that if Syria returns to dominance in Lebanon, it could impose security better than the Lebanese could.

Sister Toldjah also comments.

UPDATE:
Here's a photo of the scene:


UPDATE:
This all comes on the heels of an op-ed by Michael Young calling for the world holding Syria responsible and accountable for their assassination of Rafik Hariri.

UPDATE:
Still others commenting on the assassination and its implications on the Lebanese political situation:
Rick Moran, who notes that while Hizbullah and Syria both condemn the assassination, they doth protest too much. This has the hallmarks of their handiwork. However, he wonders whether they miscalculated. Possible, but I don't think they care. Who exactly would stop them?

Michelle Malkin has a roundup, including reports from the Lebanese Daily Star and Pajamas Media. PJ Media notes that there were three gunmen, not one.

Free Cedar fears for Lebanon's future. So do I. The barbarians are inside the gates as Hizbullah and Syria are both seeking dominion over Lebanon, and Hizbullah has the edge because they not only have the military force to control Lebanon, but have dominion over South Lebanon despite the UNIFIL operation.

From Beirut to the Beltway is reporting large demonstrations forming.

This situation is going to be rapidly changing so stay tuned.

Lebanon an Irish Experience has quotes from leading Lebanese politicians. Of note is Saad Hariri, who "...interrupted a press conference to accuse the Syrian regime of "trying to kill every free person" in Lebanon." Well, Syria doesn't have to kill every free person, just the leaders who might oppose Syria or Hizbullah's dominion. Kill the leaders, and the rest will follow. Other ministers are pointing the finger at Syria as well.

Others blogging: NoisyRoom who notes the familiar refrain, FFDB, Daily Pundit, Decision 08.

UPDATE:
Michael Totten has weighed in on the assassination. I had been waiting to hear what he had to say about the situation since he knows what's going on there better than 99% of those commenting. If the Hizbullah/Syria axis eliminates one more minister, the government of Lebanon falls because it does not have the requisite numbers (2/3 plus one) it needs to be constitutional. The coup d'etat is in progress, and assassinating Gemayel might spur one more minister to abdicate their position, leaving the door open for Syria and/or Hizbullah to benefit.

UPDATE:
There is scattered rioting by Gemayel's supporters against pro-Syrian groups, despite calls for calm by Pierre's father Amir. Mourners outside the Phalange headquarters.

The NYT blog (the Lede) has more. The Lebanese blogger's forum is urging calm. Ace also weighs in.

Gateway Pundit has photos and more.

UPDATE:
Obsidian Wings notes that there was another attempted assassination today. This time it was Michel Pharaon. If he had been killed, the assassins would have successfully executed a coup d'etat and caused the Lebanese government to fall. The remaining ministers are at grave risk, and will continue to be at risk because the assassins remain not only at large, but are motivated to cause the destruction of the Lebanese government. Across the Bay notes that the targeted ministers were part of the March 14 group. The assassins are targeting the Christian members of the government. This isn't a good sign at all.

The Counterterrorism Blog notes that today's events should not come as a surprise as anti-Syrian leaders have come under increasing threat from pro-Syrians for months now. The trend has accelerated since the August war.

Power and Control are wondering whether we're witnessing the opening gambit of a new Lebanese civil war.

Carl in Jerusalem who points out a posting by Iraq the Model that made something click. Syria is showing both the carrot and the stick. They are playing nice with Iraq for the moment, but think that they have the flexibility and the capability to use the stick on Lebanon with impunity.

Others blogging: Blogs of War, Chronicles of War, and Roger L Simon.

Technorati: assassination, lebanon, gemayel, syria, hizbullah.