March 14 minister killed in terrorist attack

Minister of Industry Pierre Gemayel was killed in a terrorist attack in Jdeideh in Beirut minutes ago. He was reportedly gunned down.

The assassination took place as Saad Hariri was declaring in a press conference that March 14 was ready for a “peaceful confrontation” with Hizbullah and the pro-Syrians parties, who want to stage a coup in the country and put Syria back in control through street protests.

Saad interrupted the press conference upon receiving the news. He then returned to announce that Gemayel was killed, and accused the Assad regime of trying to kill every free person in Lebanon.

Hariri said, choking with tears, "There is nothing left to discuss with the killer Syrian regime. The international tribunal is between us, and let whatever happens happen."

Samir Geagea had warned days ago that March 14 ministers would be subject to assassination attempts by the Assad regime to topple the government.

Tomorrow is Lebanon's independence day.

Update. Angry crowds are gathering outside the St Joseph hospital and chanting anti-Aoun and anti-Hizbullah slogans. As Anton Effendi said, this assassination guarantees that any street protest now will devolve into clashes. The Kataeb party, of which Gemayel is a member, is calling on people to excercise self restraint.

With this assassination, March 14 has lost a member of parliament and a cabinet minister. For the Assad regime, one less March 14 vote means one less vote to ratify the international tribunal.

The eyes now are on the UN Security council, which must endorse the international tribunal as soon as possible

Update 2. Syrian-installed president Emile Lahoud has canceled the November 22nd independence day celebrations to mourn the loss of what he now referred to as a minister. Not long ago, he considered Gemayel and the rest of cabinet illegitimate following the resignation of the Shia ministers and the pro-Lahoud minister.

Meanwhile, Interior minister Ahmad Fatfat has accused Syria of standing behind Gemayel's assassination.

Update 3. Geagea has called on Lahoud to resign immediately, accusing him of acting as a cover for the terrorist attacks. He also called on the Amal and Hizbullah ministers to return to the cabinet.

Update 4 (11am EST). The crowds outside the hospital are calling on people and March 14 to take to the streets.

Meanwhile, gunmen have fired shots at the office of another March 14 minister, Michel Pharaon in Ashrafieh.

It looks like March 14 is under attack.

March 14 leaders will meet tonight to decide on a course of action.

Update 5. A distraught Amin Gemayel (Pierre's father) addressed the crowds. He asked all those who loved Pierre to preserve the cause he died for. He called for self-restraint so not to desecrate what he said is the cause for freedom. He asked everyone to use this night to pray and think about the meaning of martyrdom, and how to protect this country, away from revenge and irresponsible actions.

" We want the Lebanese cause to triumph. I wish upon all those who loved Pierre to safeguard the cause", he said.

Update 6 (11:40 EST). Walid Jumblatt visited the hospital and have 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.

Update 7 (1:30 PM EST). Michel Aoun, who has over the past year reduced hismelf into a defender of the Assad regime, read a statement in the name of his parliamentary bloc condemning the "horrific assassination of one of our national symbols MP and Minister Pierre Gemayel." Aoun asked "the authorities to uncover the masterminds, the instigators and the perpetrators of this horrendous crime as soon as possible and in the most efficient way. This crime aims at undermining the unity of the Lebanese people and we fear it also aims at creating conflicts within the Christian community..." (tayyar.org)

A group of youth in the predominantly Christian neighborhood of Ashrafieh responded by burning Aoun's giant poster in Sassine square. Picture courtesy of Elaph.

Comments

[Jay]

So it begins.

[e]

So sad.
I hope that March 14 can keep it under control and that civil war does not break out. How desparate and stupid can the Syrians be? Do they need to kill only one more minister for the government to fall?
e

[Bilal]

Oh how convenient. Gaegae says that the ministers are gonna be killed and it happens! Hmm... I wonder if he and his cronies have anything to do with it. A killing by gunmen in broad daylight in Christian Beirut and nobody saw the killer. I wonder how safe did the killer think he would be.

Syria may be behind it but I will not jump to conclusions like Abu Kais has. Oh Abu Kais I forgot you were g-d who say everything happen.

Bilal, go [expletive] you [expletive].

Edited by blog author. No profanities, please. Thanks.

[ghassan karam]

The trend of destabilization by the Syrian agents continues. I only hope that this tragedy strengthens the March 14 bloc and delivers the country from the clutches of HA , Syria and Iran. If that happens then at least the sacrifice of another young man would not have been in vain.

I wonder whether the Baker contacts with the Syrian dictatorship has played any role in emboldening the murderous regime to continue its loathsome activities.

[Enough BS]

Does March 14th still control a 2/3 governmental majority after that?

[Enough BS]

Syria is an ideal position right now. The Bush administration is weakened after the latest elections, and Syrian diplomats are receiving red-carpet treatment throughout in the Middle East in order to promote peace in Irak and elsewhere - I kid you not. You can say that the international community has practically given a license to kill to the Syrian regime.

[Vulcan]

“Cry ‘HAVOC’ and let slip the dogs of war!”

How much more must we pay and suffer, for how long are we going to keep kowtowing to Berry and Nazirella, exercising restraint for preserving Lebanon is no longer an option, for Lebanon will surely be lost if we keep this policy of appeasement, someone must stand up to these evil cowards and say no more!!
We are all we got, any Lebanese who aspire for true independence must stand up and say no more. This is the true resistance this battle has been forced upon us.

[SG]

Rise up and fight? It looks like the plan for another emboldened Syrian invasion to "rescue" their brothers. Israel is hamstrung by their recent efforts - will they come to your aid with western powers stuck between you and them? Hmmmm.

I think you are between a rock and a very hard place. Good luck. I hope I am wrong.

[ghassan karam]

Vulcan is right. In a sense we have aided the killers of Pierre gemayel and the killers of Gibran Tueinin because the government of Saniora has failed to assert itself. Many have been asking this bunch of ministers to either stand up and rule or move out of the way. When would they decide that enough is enough. Do decent people should ever accept demagogery and terrorist tactics to prevail. In a democracy the majority rules and the rule of law prevails. There must never be aby appeasment . No state can ever survive if it is to allow a state within a state to exist. Contrary to the call by Geagea the HA and Amal ministers must not be allowed back into the cabinet. When will we ever wake up to the fact that these ministers and the parties that they represent are the problem and thus can not be thought of as part of the solution.

[JoseyWales]

Where's the fucking army? Still busy catching chicken thieves?

Fatfat you creep you should have warned publicly of this instead of writing stupid secret letters.

Bilal is an idiot, the kind of idiot who deserves to live under Assad if he is not already.

[a disgusted lebanese]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People like Bilal should be burned alive.

[Ha Ana Za]

My theory is that it’s more of an attack on Syria than Lebanon. Syria and Iran have improved relations with the US these days. Saad Hariri has been ranting about Syrian involvement in previous assasinations the last few days. It seems too much of a coinciedence. Seems to me that someone REALLY wants to see the downfall of Syria at any cost.

[Hassan]

Ha Ana Za,
how about you write all your theories in a book and try to sell it in Damascus, it'll be much appreciated there.

[Ha Ana Za]

Hassan,
Great suggestion

[Bad Vilbel]

One step closer to civil war....

Seriously, let em all burn in hell. All of em. I'm tired of this crap.

[Ha Ana Za]

Hassan,
On a more serious note. What would Syria seriously have to gain from assasinating Gemayel? It was close enough as it was to being wiped out by the US.
Everyone has been raising suspicions for some time, Hariri has been ranting about it for over a year now. It's way too improbable- you need to ask yourself who would benefit from Damascus's downfall.

[square]

"...would benefit from Damascus's downfall"

The Syrian people, Lebanon, Israel, U.S., Iraq, E.U. Saudis, etc...

[Hassan]

what downfall?!?!
They're more alive and kicking than were before. Why would they kill Gemayel? Well first, he's an easy target. Second, they only need two more ministers to go now to obstruct the international tribunal. It's simple math, one down two to go.
Hariri and Co haven't been raising suspicions, they knew it was gonna happen and they've been warning about it. The fact that it did happen only incriminates the suspects, it doesn't acquit them.

[Ha Ana Za]

Still seems way too set up for my liking. As much as Syria may not be the most astute political player- I don't think they're that stupid.

[R]

Regarding bilal, I really wonder why "bilal" would write God as g-d...
Regarding Ha ana za's comment. It will be an attack on syria('s regime) when gunmen assassinate mohsen bilal or botheina shaban or maher... Since only lebanese politicians from one alliance have been targetted, this is an attack on lebanon. Syria is more a suspect than a victim here, especially if you hear what its idiot ally franjieh had to say, basically accusing March 14 of being behind the killing.
As for what March 14 should do, I say appoint 5 ministers now. Protect the government. Send a message out and turn the tables...

[Hassan]

whatever makes you sleep better at night.

[Hassan]

comment addressed to ha ana za

[Amir from Tel Aviv]

2 thoughts:

1) Did you notice the audience in Hariri Jr's press conference, when they shout supportive slogans in an attempt to sound like Hassan crowds in Hassan events.

2) Arab blog with no conspiracy theory? ...so I suggest this:
HZB watches with worry the Syrians and Americans come close; HZB knows that it is disposable and that Asad will dump HZB for a reasonable deal with America, tries to entangle Syria in an international crisis.
So HZB carried out this assassination.
.

[Ha Ana Za]

Hassan,
1. I'm not Syrian nor Ba'athist
2. That's no answer: using your intelligence and logic surely it seems too obvious- like some kinda tacky crime novel!
Syria has more to lose from this kind of action than anything else, surely noone in their right mind would want to incur the wrath of America

[square]

"I'm not Syrian nor Ba'athist"

See, there is your problem.

As for being too obvious, read a bit about Occam's razor Razor, he used to be from your current neck of the woods.

[Black Death]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

don't foorget to blame the jews!!! what a bunch of [insult deleted by blog author].

[fubar]

Oh Heavenly Father, open your arms and embrace your son, the patriot Pierre Gemayel. He was not a perfect man, in your eyes or ours, as none of us are. But judge him kindly for he stood for freedom for all to live under self-rule, without fear, in peaceful co-existence and mutual respect in the land which you created but which has not lived up to your expectations. He did not seek death, he did not advocate death, he did not glorify death, but nor did he cower in fear. He knew all too well that death stalked him; yet he stood strong against those who would subjugate, once again, the land and people he loved. And so, he gave his life for a noble cause. Strengthen and fortify those left behind who carry on the fight for freedom and prepare a place for those that will surely follow, just as you have for those that have gone before. We ask these things in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

[Ha Ana Za]

Square,
WTF? My neck of the woods? How is it my problem exactly?

[Vulcan]

HA ANA ZA

Using your stupidity and the ever fascinating, frustrating, exasperating and nauseating typical Arab conspiracy theory logic, one would assume Nasrala is a Mossad Agent! Since everything he did so far has destabilized Lebanon to the benefit of the little Satan Israel
Since when do we have to wonder “could the Syrians be that stupid?”
Well let me burst your bubble buddy THE SYRIANS ARE THAT STUPID
They did it and they have been behind all this simply for their refusal to accept Lebanon a free independent democratic country. And your hero Nasralla is their thug in Lebanon.

I hate myself, I hate being an Arab, and you Arabs are so fucking backwards it’s a disgrace to be an Arab.

From a Lebanese Muslim Shia from the heart of south Lebanon Al-Khiam

[Ha Ana Za]

Woah! I would admit to disliking Nasrallah as much as the next person and would not be at all surprised if Hizbollah was involved in this event in order to consolidate control on Lebanon and pit Muslim against Christain more than it already is.
It deeply saddens me that Lebanon seems to be being driven back to a state of civil war.
I merely believe that Syria has more to lose than it would ever hope to gain from such a badly timed move.

[R]

I don't think anybody has given the hypothetical Syrian strategy in Lebanon the credit that it deserves. Think of a strategy with tactics that function something like this:

- Assassination after assassination after assassination, to demoralize, debilitate and decapitate their foes in Lebanon.

- Long term "steadfastness" is Syria, assassinations in Lebanon, accompanied simultaneously with constant meddling in Iraq. A kind of international "who can last longer" between Syria and the US. Syria believes that it can outlive the US administration and weather the storm.

- In the meantime the weakened anti-syrian group in Lebanon loses more of its leadership and is left looking evermore helpless in the face of both the assassinations and Syria's allies' blackmail.

- In due time, Syria is poised to re-enter Lebanon (politically if not militarilly) as de-facto ruler, after every international player is outlasted in this bloody and cynical game.

Why is this stupid? As far as the Syrian regime is concerned its their best shot...

[Ha Ana Za]

but how do they gain? that logic would just seem to be mindless point scoring to me.
The Strian economy is in tatters, islamism is on the rise, they STILL haven't got the golan back and society is generally becoming more aggreived.
It would seem to be more sensible to get into the US's good books again and get some support for its flailing regime rather than possibly endangering itself to the iraq treatment.

[Bad Vilbel]

Ha Ana Za,

Control of Lebanon is key to the continuation of the Syrian regime, and whatever economy it can muster. You inadvertently hit the nail on the head here. Lebanon is more important to Syria than the Golan.

[Ha Ana Za]

Interesting perspective. I guess it can't really be proved either way. It seems unrealistic though (from the Syrian perspective) in as much as Syria is a shambles and smaller Lebanon WAS successful- should they get hold of Lebanon they would merely pull lebanese economy down as Lebanon cannot possibly support both and I think Syrian economic failure is more due to bad government than any other factor.
Also should Syria assimilate Lebanon it would lead to huge internal struggles rather similar to Iraq and the Kurds. Isn't all that more trouble than it's worth?

[R]

Ha ana za,

Its a mistake to think of the Syrian regime as working in the best interests of Syria. Try thinking of them as people who are trying to perpetuate their control of Syria, with Lebanon being their cash cow. They know that they cannot negotiate with Israel for the Golan on an equal footing because they are weak. Enter Lebanon again as a strategic card. Syria does not want to assimilate Lebanon (at least that is not the issue at hand now), the regime wants to dominate it. Big difference.

[Ha Ana Za]

at the risk of appearing very naive...to what end do they wish to dominate?

[Innocent_Criminal]

I would have accepted the NOTION that Hariri & co was killed by the Syrians out of stupidity, desperation etc. But there is no one that stupid as to kill their own interests. Within 2 days, HA was planning to go to the streets and begin bringing down the government which is in favor of both the Syrians and HA so why would either kill any hope of that happening?

Now that Pierre has been killed all the street protests will be postponed if not cancelled and though direct negotiations won’t resume; back-alley deals will be the way forward and compromises will be made on both sides. So I don’t think it would be a crazy conspiracy theory if someone from the March 14 or their backers arranged this lamb’s sacrifice for their political gains. Lets not forget that Pierre is of no serious threats to Syria, the Kata’b are much weaker than they were 20 years ago and there are much juicier targets if they were really out to get some government officials. This whole thing just stinks!!!

[AM]

Don't we Lebanese love conspiracies? sigh ...

When Hariri died, the people around me questioned the reason and I was proud in a way to explain what it was all about.

Today I am not proud, what should I say? It happened because of 'us'? because we're not able to agree on anything based on sects? because we did not not learn anything from the past? because we still allow ourselves to be manipulated and are not able to run a freakin' small country like ours without allowing if not preparing the scene for assassinations like today's?

Well, if all we Lebanese can come up with is a team of lame politicians and egoistic leaders, then f*** us, we don't deserve a country.

[R]

Ha ana za,

I don't want to take up too much discussion space on AbuKais's blog... You are welcome to my blog, where I posted an entry on a possible Syrian strategy in Lebanon. But I will say this, the goal of the regime dominating Lebanon is manyfold:

a- as a cash cow (not for syria but for the regime)

b- as a means to ensure that no viable democracy rises at their borders that could be an effective model for the Syrian people, who are more like the Lebanese than many lebanese like to admit. (to preserve the regime)

c- as a gateway to launch attacks on Israel, i.e. to be used as a bargaining chip for the retrieval of the Golan and also to achieve "goal b".

I could go on, but I think those are the main ones unless I forget something...

[Paolo]

A simple Historical Notation...
For people who have in their heads maps and names of places (NASRALLAH & ASSAD) wich goes back to the ABASSIDS
or at best to the OTTOMAN EMPIRE...
LEBANON SIMPLY DOES NOT EXIST....
It's INTEGRAL PART OF BILAD-AL-SHAM or SORISTAN....
Which are BOTH the ancient NAMES
of the SOURCE OF YOUR PROBLEMS..

S Y R I A

That's ALL, FOLKS!

[Ghassan Karam]

"Nasrallah, Aoun and Lahoud, they killed him," shouted Antoine Shaaya. But he neglected to add that there is a fourth accomplice, Nabih Beri and that the four were executing orders from their masters in Damascuss and Tehran.

[Vulcan]

BORAT did it! shame on us going around accusing Syria and Nasralla
lets get those Kazakhs bastards

[Hassan]

It wasn't Borat. It was an Uzbek imposter.

[Norton]

Hmm, every Lebanese blog I look at has comments from two bozos saying this assasination surely plays into Syrian/Israeli/US hands, but with different names.

The internet may be big, but the blogosphere makes me downright claustrophobic.

[Norton]

Pardon me, I meant to say two bozos saying that US/Israel have the most to gain from this and Syria the most to lose.

[asiason]

It matters who gains or loses at this point. There was a saying once, and I repeat it again. " If civil war it is to be then let it come. Then perhaps the very last fight for the "put name of freedom deprived nation here" revolution will be fought and decided at last.

Accept no stalemate this time, whether its a fight to the death in the halls of politics or in the streets, a state within a state cannot arrive at peace and harmony.

Either freedom will prevail, or the Islamists/Syrian will.

If anything let this assasination have the March 14th people greasing and dusting off their guns. If they shirk away, they have already lost. If they show some teeth.. who knows or maybe gun down Fatboy Naz, they can even the score and show Syria what happens to Damascus funded lapdogs.

[Richard Silverstein]

Pardon me if someone's posted with this idea but...I've read an alternative theory of what could've happened. It seems to me that with Syria's recognition of Iraq; a possible tripartite understanding among Iran, Iraq & Syria; possible talks with the U.S. that Assad has only to gain fr. coasting along with the political winds. To sponsor the killing of Gemayel seems like the absolute stupidest thing Assad could do. It makes it much harder for Bush to have anything to do w. him. It redoubles the opposition of March 14th & their determination to fight. It unites most of Lebanon around March 14th. It lowers Hezbollah's political standing.

So here's a thought. Could it be that those members of the Syrian security apparatus who have the most to lose fr. international indictments might've "strayed off the reservation" to kill Gemayael? In other words, perhaps they did this on their own & w/o Assad's approval?

I'm no big fan of Assad & find it perfectly possible that he would've WANTED to kill him. But to actually do it & do it right now seems bizarre.

The day Hariri's Wahabites 5ara Saud will control Lebanon, I'll give free champaigne to all of Syria. I give it 5 years starting today. Cheers, on your health! Oh, sorry, I forgot alcohol is 7aram in Lebanon.