They're freaking in Lebanon [View All]

[TexasLawyer]

The US has just recalled its Syria envoy

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B7391ECD-55FF-41FE-AE6C-61E9B9766F26.htm

Tuesday 15 February 2005, 21:45 Makka Time, 18:45 GMT


"Rice ordered Scobey (R) to leave the Syrian capital

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has ordered US Ambassador Margaret Scobey home from Syria amid rising tensions over the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri in Beirut, a US official said. "


This makes Lebanon's dark cloud even darker. Are we off to Syria now. I thought it was to be Iran. Too many wars!
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From the Daily Star, Lebanon:

A cloud descends over Lebanon's political future

By Hanna Anbar and Michael Glackin
Daily Star staff
Tuesday, February 15, 2005


The bomb blast that murdered former premier Rafik Hariri along with eight others and ripped though downtown Beirut has cast a giant cloud over Lebanon's immediate political future. Lebanon has been under the international microscope for most of the last six months. In addition to UN Resolution 1559 calling for Syria to withdraw the 15,000 troops it still has stationed in Lebanon, the country is also facing the prospect of being caught up in U.S. sanctions against Damascus.

Against this backdrop of international disquiet there has also been a fierce internal debate in the run up to parliamentary elections scheduled for this May. The Lebanese opposition, which has called for an end to Syrian involvement in Lebanon's affairs, was a few days ago fretting the election would be "rigged" to ensure a victory for pro-Syrian factions. Against this background the opposition has been quick to point the finger at Damascus, insisting it, along with the Lebanese government, is responsible for Hariri's murder.

Syria was openly warned in recent weeks by both the U.S. and France not to interfere in Lebanon's elections or harm its politicians. However, some suggest Damascus will use Hariri's death to argue its presence in Lebanon is needed more than ever now to ensure peace is maintained. But for now it is unclear what caused the massive explosion. A little-known group calling itself Victory and Jihad in Greater Syria has issued a statement claiming the killing, saying it was a suicide bomb. But most observers are dismissive of the claim.

It is now unclear if May's elections will take place. If the political temperature was at fever pitch last week, it is now white hot. In recent weeks the government has hinted elections could be cancelled if extraordinary security risks developed. Monday's blast could just about provide enough of an excuse to cancel what were becoming increasingly worrying elections.

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http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=12697