Syria

Fire of Liberty

I think Amir Taheri has an interesting analysis about the recent assassination of Rafik Hariri in Lebanon. While the list of assassins consists of Hezbollah, Syro-Lebanese mafia, Iran and Syria, Taheri tends to lean on our "good friend" Syria. I'm in the same boat with Taheri in agreeing that Syria is the main culprit. Unlike all the other suspects, Syria is the 800 lb. in Lebanon that gets things done. With 20,000 troops in the nation, the Syrians have the men and the ability to rid themselves of a vocal opponent. What makes this more relevant is the fact that Syria has a history of erasing troubles. Take a look at what Taheri says about this :

Syria had a clear motive in killing Hariri. It also had the means, if only because its security services control Beirut. Certainly, no one could have smuggled hundreds of kilos of explosives into the heart of the city without the Syrian Mukhaberat learning about it.

Syria also had a long history of murdering its political foes in Lebanon: two of Lebanon's presidents, Bechir Gemayel and Rene Mouaouad; the Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt; the publisher Salim al-Lawzi — these are only the best-known victims of Syrian assassination policy.

Friends of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad claim that even if the Syrians murdered Hariri, young Bashar knew nothing about it. Rather, some rogue elements in the Syrian Mukhaberat did the dastardly deed. But this excuse is worse than the crime. Syria claims to be in Lebanon to protect it against rogue elements. If it can't do that, there is even less reason why it should continue to occupy Lebanon.

I'm guessing Syria might have erased the wrong guy. The people of Lebanon are tiring of their masters and want to be free of Junior Assad and his merchants of death. Check out this piece in The Times which notes a growing movement against Syria.