Car bomb in Beirut
In the last few minutes a car bomb has exploded in Beirut. Witnesses say it destroyed the first floor of an apartment block and blew a crater in the road.
It is the first violence since the killing of former PM Rafiq Hariri a month ago.
Prepare for accusations that Syria is stirring trouble before it leaves, and Syrian counter claims that it needs a presence to keep the peace it has maintained in Lebanon for 15 years.
In recent years Israel has tacitly acknowledged responsibility for a number of car bomb attacks in Beirut and Damascus.
As one analyst sighed: "the war has started".
Hello Sasa,
You wrote "Israel has tacitly acknowledged responsibility for a number of car bomb attacks in Beirut and Damascus."
I follow the news from that part of the world and cannot recall any such acknowledgements. More info?
Posted by Anonymous | 8:56 am
The most recent one was the murder of a Hamas member in Damascus. I think even Shaul Mofaz implied responsibility!
In the last few years car bombs have killed Hizbollah member Ghalib Awali and PFLP founder Ahmed Jibril. Sources in Israel acknowledged involvement.
Phalange member Elie Hobeika was also killed by a car bomb. He led the pro-Israeli militia during the Israeli occupation. But when Belgium started proceedings to indict Ariel Sharon as a war criminal, Hobeika agreed to stand as a witness. Days later he was killed. No claims of responsibility.
Posted by sasa | 8:41 pm