Region | Lebanon
Killing 'aimed at terrorising' military
Only two parties that have an interest in damaging security in Lebanon are Israel and Al Qaida - analyst
- By Jumana Al Tamimi, GCC & Middle East Editor
- Published: 23:31 December 12, 2007
- Image Credit: Reuters
- Red Cross and civil defence officers inspect the site of an explosion in the Christian town of Baabda, east of Beirut, on Wednesday.
Dubai: Lebanese politicians unanimously condemned the assassination of Brigadier General Francois Al Haj, the leading successor of General Michel Sulaiman who is expected to become the next president, as analysts in Beirut agreed that the murder was a message aimed to "terrorise" Lebanese military institutions.
However, analysts differed in their interpretation of the motives and the "parties" involved in the killing.
Al Haj was the first figure to be murdered in the Lebanese army, which has preserved neutrality in the Lebanese political crisis.
Some analysts including George Nassef, a columnist at An Nahar newspaper, strongly believe the killing was to "settle scores" between Al Haj and both Al Qaida or Fateh Al Islam, the terrorist sunni militia, which fought the army earlier this year in the Palestinian refugee Camp of Nahr Al Bared in northern Lebanon.
The months-long battle, the worst since the civil war, ended in September with the army taking full control of the camp. It killed more than 420 people, including 168 soldiers.
Good relations
"Al Haj had good relations with both the opposition and majority in Lebanon," said Nassef. "The only two parties that have an interest in damaging security in Lebanon are Israel and Al Qaida," he said.
However, other analysts believe that because of Al Haj's good relations with all parties, he became a "suitable target" for "other regional powers".
"All those targeted in assassinations in Lebanon are those who do not trigger sedition and civil strife", said Antonie Massrah, political science professor at the Lebanese university.
"Those who are targeted are those with a ... good reputation," he believes.
The killing was a "message to cripple the institutional organisations [including the army]," said Massrah, who joined some politicians in pointing the finger against Syria and Iran.
Syria was swift in joining the list of those who condemned the killing.
Wednesday's attack was the first killing since September 19, when a car bomb - the dominant device used in all previous 8 killings - killed MP Antoine Ganem.
It also came on the second anniversary of the assassination of another MP and journalist Gibran Tueni.
But, Wednesday's attack came amid a heated political atmosphere as politicians tussled over the presidency seat, which has been vacant since November 23, when former Emile Lahoud stepped down after his presidency term expired and the country couldn't reach an agreement over a successor.
"The initial reading into what happened is that it was a message to the army and its leadership," said Paul Salem, Director of Carnegie Middle East Centre.
The message is, "Don't think you will control the situation once you reach presidency ... Everybody is within reach [of assassination]," Salem added.
The killing came at a time when politicians were bickering over candidates to fill other senior security positions after the expected election of Sulaiman as president.
Analysts believe Al Haj's assassination should "accelerate" efforts to solve the political crisis, especially that "peoples' attachment to the military institution has enhanced after the killing" said Salem. "But the politicians are good in giving excuses", he added in reference to the impact of the killing on the political crisis.
Profile of a General
- Francois Al Haj, 55, was a maronite Catholic and top candidate to head the army.
- He was head of the military operations.
- The blast at 7am (0500 GMT) hurled Al Haj's car 50 metres away and set other vehicles on fire. Several buildings were damaged.
- According to security sources 35kg explosives packed into an olive-green BMW, were detonated by remote control in Baabda, an area that houses the presidential palace and several embassies.
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
