Dangerous Days in Lebanon

Another anti-Syrian politican was assassinated today in Lebanon (HT: LGF). Syria's thugs in Lebanon are likely behind this, and will most certainly attempt to kill more anti-Syrian politicians in order to derail the Hariri investigation/tribunal that will put to rest once and for all Syria's involvement in that assassination - including Bashar's inner circle. At least eight people were killed in the attack:

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corp. said the explosion came from a bomb-rigged car, a method that has been used to assassinate opponents of Syria over the past two years. Syria has been accused of meddling in Lebanon's affairs, particularly by supporting the militant group Hezbollah.

Screams of agony
The body of woman, covered in blood, was seen being pulled away from the seen by local residents. She was screaming in agony. Another man was being carried away as police sealed off the area, which is near an amusement park and a military club.

The explosion shattered windows of apartments in the area, knocked down walls and scattered debris on top of parked cars.

The explosion was the latest in a series to hit Lebanon in the last three weeks as Lebanese troops battled Islamic militants in a Palestinian refugee camp in the northern part of the country.

The Daily Star has more. From Beirut to Beltway wonders when someone will finally declare war on the Assad regime that has been supporting the insurgency against the Lebanese government in the hopes of restoring Syrian control over Lebanon.

This comes as news that the Lebanese military claims to be in full control of the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian camp where Fatah al Islam terrorists had holed up.

"There is sporadic fire today, and the army is now cleansing the positions taken over on Tuesday," a military spokesman said.

LBCI television said Wednesday that Fatah al-Islam extremists fled towards the southern old sector of Nahr al-Bared, after troops, backed by heavy artillery barrages, hammered overnight the militants barricaded in dense neighborhoods still housing thousands of civilians.

The fighting has claimed more than 128 lives -- 61 soldiers and 50 Fatah al-Islam fighters -- since gun-battles erupted in the camp and the nearby port city of Tripoli May 20.

It is difficult to ascertain what is happening inside the besieged camp. Journalists have been kept away, and the media has had to rely on statements from the army and militant leaders, who spoke to reporters by cellular phone from hideouts inside the camp.

UPDATE:
Michael Totten weighs in on the latest assassination of an anti-Syrian politician. He notes:

Those who "engage" tyrants for a living need to pay more attention. The Syrian regime has had the same modus operandi almost as long as I have been alive. It's time to catch up.

UPDATE: Abu Kais asks "Is someone going to declare war on the Assad regime?"

Lebanon is certainly entitled to do so (although doing it alone would be suicidal). Syria has been at war with Lebanon for 30 years, and with Israel for even longer. Syria is also at war with the United States and Iraq. It's amazing what third-rate fly-blown dictatorships get away with these days.

No kidding, but the diplomats seem to forget all that has happened before and engage in a tabula rosa - just ignore the history and the intent and hope that this time the results will be different.