Blast Targeting MP Antoine Ghanem - Sin El-Fil - The Enemies of Lebanon are at it again.
Written by CRNews, Naharnet, LBC
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Sept. 19, 2007 Around 5:30pm
Phalangist MP Antoine Ghanem was assassinated by a powerful blast that targeted his car in east Beirut’s Sin el-Feel suburb.
- MP Saad Hariri blamed the Antoine Ghanem killing on the "cowardly regime" of Syrian President Bashar Assad. - Druze leader Walid Jublatt said Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime is behind MP Antoine Ghanem's assassination, pledging that "we will not succumb to Bashar Assad's threat."
A powerful blast echoed across Beirut’s eastern suburbs, the nature of which could not be immediately determined. At least four people were reportedly killed in a powerful blast that ripped through the Horsh Tabek suburb in east Beirut. A powerful blast ripped through a black Chevrolet sedan that carried a blue MP license plate in its trunk. A powerful blast targeted a car belonging to Phalangist MP Antoine Ghanem in east Beirut’s suburb of Sin el-Feel. Naharnet
Eblan Farris, editor of the Cedars Revolution News said upon the Assassination of Antoine Ghanem:
"It is Very Crucial to Lebanon's future and to the future of the WAR ON TERROR that the Free People of Lebanon Not Be Forced into Submission By Acts of Terrorism. Terrorism must not be allowed to Win. The International Communities help is needed to secure Lebanon from the Terrorists and to address the actions of their Sponsor States. The Free People of Lebanon should be Free to Elect a President of their Choice and not one that is forced upon them through Wars of Intimidation, Wars of Assassinatons and Wars of Terror.
This is an International Problem. Iran and Syria are circumventing the Democratically Elected Government of PM Fouad Siniora and supplying, funding, training, directing Proxies and Militias to destabilize the Sovereign State of Lebanon.
The International Community and the UNSC is part of the solution of Lebanon, by passing UN Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for free Elections in Lebanon. Enough Assassinations and Intimidation Bombings have terrorized the Lebanon State, now the UN must now pass a Chapter 7 Security Council Resolution to ensure that UNSCR 1559 allows the election of a President in Lebanon that represents the free will of the populous." Eblan Farris, Editor Cedars Revolution News.
Background on the Security Situation in Lebanon
Antoine Ghanem has been vacant from Lebanon for fear of Assassination. He has been reportedly in Abu Dhabi. Mr. Ghanem arrived in Lebanon only two days ago and was Assassinated today. This is similar to the Assassination of Gibarn Tueni. The questions must be asked if the Enemies of Lebanon that carried out this Assassination are utilizing airline passenger lists from those entering / leaving Lebanon?
All the Assassinations were targeting the Majority, who are fighting with their blood to achieve Freedom, Independence, Democracy and are sided with the West on the Global War Against Terror.
This Assassination was Against the Cedars Revolution.
The Opposition (Hezbollah, Aoun and their Allies, proxies of Iran and Syria) in Lebanon - who stand to gain from this wonton disregard for Human Life - have been threatening in their Language if Lebanon did not elect their Presidential Candidate.
Let it be very well understood - the Cedars Revolution in Lebanon - commonly referred to in Lebanese Politics as the March 14 movement, won the Majority of the Parliament Elections in 2005. Ever since then the Enemies of Lebanon have been hard at work to undermine the Cedars Revolution.
The Cedars Revolution is under attack by Syria, Iran and their proxies. There is a violent campaign to take over the Lebanese State. The Prime Minister of Lebanon has not lived in his house for over a Year. He is holed up in the Grand Serial, taking cover with other deputies for fear of Assassination. This is unheard of today - where a sitting Prime Minister is living as if he were in Prison for fear of his life while the forces on the ground are forcing him to compromise with the terror agenda.
Syria whom openly said they don't support the Democratically elected Government of PM Fouad Siniora - does not recognize the State of Lebanon, has not traded embassies with Lebanon, has not delinated the borders with Lebanon, openly supports oppositions to the Democratically elected Government of Lebanon.
The UN and the International Community must pass a Chapter 7 UN Security Council Resolution to Secure the State of Lebanon by expanding the UNIFIL forces. The Parliament Members of Lebanon require Security that only the International Community can provide and especially now during the Presidential campaign. The UN must also speed up the Hariri Tribunal to bring Justice to Lebanon.
Without Justice - there Will be No Lebanon. Editor Cedars Revolution News.
Antoine Ghanem (9) 2007-09-19 - Kataeb Party Reaction
LEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS
Feb 2005: Former PM Rafik Hariri
June 2005: Anti-Syria journalist Samir Kassir
June 2005: Ex-Communist leader George Hawi
Dec 2005: Anti-Syria MP Gebran Tueni
Nov 2006: Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel
June 2007 Walid Eido plus His Son and 8 others.
Sept. 2007 - Antoine Ghanem and 3 Others
Attempted Assassinations Oct 2004: Minister Marwan Hamadi July 2005: Defense Minister Elias Murr Sep 2005: LBC's May Chidiac Sep 2006: Lt. Col. Samir Shehade - investigator in Hariri/4 died
Feb 2006: Ein Alaq Bombing - 3 Died, 20 Injured. 1st Bombing directed at and killed Lebanese Civilians Since the Syrians did indiscriminate bombings of East Beirut 1989 - which saw 1,000 deaths.
May 20, 2007 - Fatah Al-Islam "Syrian Funded, Sponsored and Planted Terror Group" Invades Lebanese Army Barracks and Massacres 27 Lebanese Solders during their Sleep.
May 20 2007 - Syria unleashes Terror War on Lebanon in response to UN Tribunal, 38 Dead.
May 20 2007 - ABC Mall Bombing in Ashrafiyeh - one innocent civilian dies.
Intimidation Bombings in Lebanon 1 Marwan Hamadeh - late 2004 2 Rafiq Hariri - Valentines Day 2005 3 New Jdeideh 4 Kaslik 5 Sad el-Bouchrieh 6 Broummana 7 Jounieh 8 Samir Kassir 9 George Hawi 10 Elias Murr 11 Monot bombing 12 Zalka bombing 13 Jeitawi bombing 14 May Chidiac 15 Gebran Tueni 16 Khaldeh 17 Lt. Col. Samir Shehade 18 Mazboud 19 Kuwaiti Info office 20 Pierre Gemayel 21 Michel Pharoan 22 Ein Alaq 2/13 23 ABC Mall 5/21 24 Verdun 5/22 25 Aley 5/23
26 Barbir 5/27
27 Zahle Serail 5/28
28 MarMkhael5/30
29 ThawraMosque 6/2
30 MarTakla Ch 6/4
31 Zouk Mousbeh 6/7
32 Gren E.Beirut 6/7
33 Gren DahrWahesh
34 Gren NDU Koura6/7
35 ExCars BarElias 6/7
36 Antoine Ghanem 9/19
The Upcoming Elections in Lebanon must come under the protection of a Chapter 7 enforced United Nations Security Council Resolution.
The International Community Must Pass a Chapter 7 United Nations Security Council Resolution to:
1. Secure the State of Lebanon
2. Provide Security to the Cedars Revolution March 14 Leaders
3. Provide Security for the Election of a President that reflects the Will of the People represented by Parliament Members.
4. Fully Implement UN Resolutions 1559 / 1701 that all sides in Lebanon agreed to after the last Summer War of '06.
Letter from our Archves that was addressed to PM Siniora on June 18, 2007 after the Assassination of MP Walid Eido.
Another March 14 MP killed - From Beirut to the Beltway
March 14 MP and Kataeb party member Antoine Ghanem was reportedly killed today in a massive bomb attack in Sin El Fil, Beirut. LBC reported 6 dead so far including Ghanem, and ten wounded.
The assassination comes 6 days before a scheduled parliament session to elect a president. The pro-Syrian and Hizbullah-led coalition threatened to boycott the session if March 14 used a majority vote to elect a president. Many in March 14 expected political assassinations to precede the election and reduce the parliament's majority. The Assad regime opposes a president from March 14, and insists on a pro-Syrian president to safeguard its interests and the interests of its allies in the country, including Hizbullah. The Assad regime also wants a president to "open a dialogue" on recent UNSC resolutions calling on Syria to respect Lebanese sovereignty and establishing a tribunal to try those responsible for the Hariri assassination and other political crimes in the country.
According to al-Markazia, Syria rejected a French deal for more open relations between the EU and Syria, as well as a seat in the upcoming Middle East peace conference in Washington, in return for lifting of the Syrian veto on the Lebanese presidential election. Just today, the regime's mouthpiece al-Thawra published a scathing and personal attack on French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who on more than one occasion publicly proposed open relations with Syria if the latter stopped blowing up its Lebanese opponents and allowed parliament to vote in a president.
Antoine Ghanem was reportedly a moderate well liked by MPs from both sides of the divide. With his murder, March 14 lost another vote, and may not feel safe anymore to stay in the country, let alone head to parliament on September 25th to elect a president. Many March 14 MPs are outside the country. As for the Assad regime, it has just reconfirmed to the world, especially to the French, that it does not care about dialogue or open relations with the west.
Update. According to MP Wael Abou Faour, Ghanem, who arrived in Lebanon two days ago, told him he wasn't afraid and said they should all head to parliament to elect a new president . Ghanem belonged to Walid Jumblatt's bloc.
Update 2. The death toll rose to nine.
Update 3. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Lebanese security agencies (he didn't specify) are penetrated (presumably by Syrian intelligence), which he said facilitates the work of the killers, the aim being to reduce the parliament's majority.
Update 4. From Naharnet:
A friend of the victim, speaking on condition of anonymity, quoted Ghanem as telling him Tuesday evening: "I face the threat of assassination. They want to kill me to open the door for by-elections to choose a new MP from (Michel Aoun's) Free Patriotic Movement." Ghanem had represented the Baabda-Aley constituency in parliament since the year 2000. Ghanem's constituency houses Hizbullah's stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut, where the party that is opposed to the March 14 alliance carries a sizeable influence.
