Posted on 11/21/2006 3:20:34 PM PST by HAL9000
Beirut - The assassination of Pierre Gemayel means that two more ministers need to resign or be killed in order to bring down the anti-Syrian government.As if one assassination were not enough bloodshed for one day, the murderers proceeded to target another anti-Syrian Member of Parliament - Michel Pharaon.
Syria's allies in Lebanon are planning to take the streets on Thursday to demand the government resign. The pro-Syrian allies in Lebanon include Hezbollah, Michel Aoun's political party and Nabih Berri's Amal movement.
Syria behind violent overthrow?
As documented in the U.N. investigation, Syria has openly threatened Lebanese politicians who dare to defy their orders. The Syrian regime has been determined to block the international U.N. tribunal at any cost, including the cost of stability in Lebanon.
Just hours after killing Gemayel, gunmen opened fire on the office of a minister of state.
"The office of the state minister for parliamentary affairs, Michel Pharaon, in the Ashrafieh neighborhood was the target of gunshots today from gunmen in a white Suzuki car," according to a statement by the minister's office.
"The security forces cordoned off the area and is carrying out the necessary measures to identify the culprits," who fled the scene, it said.
Pharaon is a Greek-Catholic Christian MP from the bloc of anti-Syrian parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri.
Brother, niece and son died for the cause
The father of Pierre Gemayel a Lebanese anti-Syrian minister who was killed today urged supporters to remain calm and avoid retribution. "I have one wish, that tonight be a night of prayer to contemplate the meaning of this martyrdom and how to protect this country," Former President Amin Gemayel told reporters outside a hospital where the body of his son Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel was taken.
"I call on all those who appreciate Pierre's martyrdom to preserve his cause and for all of us to remain at the service of Lebanon. We don't want reactions and revenge," he said.
"My brother died for the cause, my niece died for the cause and now my son died for the cause."
In a speech by the Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, he called for all Lebanese to come together "to defend the security and their country."
He continued, adding: "To your beloved parents, to your wife and children, and to all your friends and to all the freedom loving people, I promise you your blood will not be shed in vain.
On behalf of the government, my brother, my friend and colleague, the minister the young Pierre Gemayel, give my regards to Rafik (Hariri) and all his companions. Say hello to Samir (Kassir), George (Hawi), Gebran (Tueni), and all those freedom loving people, and tell them they did not die in vain, but they died for the homeland, and you have joined them today.
Walid Jumblatt visited the hospital and made a short statement amid anti-Aoun and anti-Nasrallah chants. He affirmed that the international tribunal is coming and warned against civil strife. "They want to create civil strife... We will triumph. We will not let them drag us to sedition," he said.
"As we were on that great day (March 14) with Pierre in the lead, peaceful and democratic for Lebanon, we will remain," he added.
While those of us in the civilized world propel "Happy Feet" to box-office records and look ahead to "World Orgasm Day", the forces that would put Syria and Iran in the driver's seat in the middle east are not taking a single day off.
Syria is the western point of the Shiite Crescent. The eastern point is Iran. The center of the crescent is Iraq, real soon now (so Iran hopes). The victim is of course Israel, the little Satan. Then it's on to the Great Satan.
ping for later-This is serious.
Is this Syria's doing? If so, it would be their answer to being invited to restore diplomatic relations with Iraq and being invited to participate along with Iran in bringing peace to the ME. More likely, there are parties taking independent action.
Hezbollah looks poised to strike on Thursday, while we're busy giving thanks, eating turkey, watching football, and getting ready for the "Black Friday" shopping spree.
I think it's Syria, Iran, and their proxies stirring up this trouble. They want a border with Israel so they can work against Israel.
Syria has plausible denial.
Lebanon did not assist Israel when the Hezbos were in THEIR country. God says if you are not with my people, you are against them. Lebanon is a marked people unless they stand up for themselves and kill the terrorists within!
So long as Iraq is occupied, Jordan is trying to stay alive, and Egypt, Saudi have no interest in this foolishness anymore, Israel can handle the rest.
Syria has made plausible deniability a way of life. And, the gov't likely does not control all the factions.
President Bush's statement seems to allude that -
November 21, 2006
President's Statement on Assassination of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel
Today's assassination of Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel shows yet again the viciousness of those who are trying to destabilize that country.
The United States remains fully committed to supporting Lebanon's independence and democracy in the face of attempts by Syria, Iran, and their allies within Lebanon to foment instability and violence. Syria's refusal to cease and desist from its continuing efforts to destabilize Lebanon's democratically elected government is a repeated violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701. The United States will continue its efforts with allied nations and democratic forces in Lebanon to resist these efforts and protect Lebanon's sovereignty and democratic institutions.
We urge the U.N. Security Council and the Secretary-General today to take the remaining steps needed to establish the special tribunal for Lebanon that will try those accused of involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri, and to ensure that that tribunal can also bring to justice those responsible for related assassinations, assassination attempts, and other terrorist attacks. We also demand that Syria treat Lebanon as a genuinely sovereign neighbor, establishing full diplomatic relations with Lebanon, and delineating its border with that country, including, in particular, in the Shab'a Farms area, through a bilateral agreement.
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Yeah, they could if we'd allow it and not stop them before they're done.
This could get 'series and hugh'.
I liked the Bond movie myself.
Until we are allowed to fight this war the way the war needs to be fought... I will hold back my passion. To many rules of engagement.
The terrorist animals will continue the enflame this war with or without us. It will grow larger and larger until even Charlie BF Rangle can no longer deny that he is an A-hole. So, might as well grab some beer, a little popcorn, kick up your feet and enjoy a movie or two. Because it is going to be a big one.
This is an opportunity for Olmert to step forward with protection IF they throw Hezbellah out of the government.
Could be. The Pres knows a boatload more specifics than any of us do although we can guess the generalities with a pretty good percentage of hits. The Pres sure speaks with certainty of detail when he wants to a lot harder than Murtha on his best day.
We should have taken out the Syrians in 2003.
It's apparently going to boil over eventually no matter who we try to keep in check. We're in Iraq now to keep Israel from having to resort to ultimate force. It may be delaying the inevitable.
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