Another Lebanese official killed in attack by Corina Ciubotaru

Lebanon is nearing a political crisis as several anti-Syrian officials have been killed during the past few months. Starting with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in February 2005, eight politicians with anti-Syrian views were killed and the majority in Parliament which is currently held by the Christian party may soon come to an end. This will ultimately change the course of upcoming presidential elections in Lebanon, on September 25th as the thin majority would barely be able to choose a new country leader. The latest victim of this conflict is Antoine Ghanem, who had returned to Beirut on Sunday after spending some time in exile for fears of attacks on him and his family. A car exploded just as he drove by it just outside of Beirut, killing him, his bodyguard and five passers-by instantly and injuring 19 other people. Mr. Ghanem was 64 years old and he was known as a major supporter of Lebanon's Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, also from the Christian Phalange party. The killing was condemned by world leaders; the U.N., the United States, E.U. countries and a few other nations condemned it and agreed an international investigation would reveal a connection between the deaths of all eight leaders. If the president can not be elected, some fear two governments appearing again and fighting for position while the country suffers, as they did in 1975-1990. Syrian officials have admitted these events are bad for stability in the region but have not admitted to have any implication in them.

related story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070919/ts_nm/lebanon_explosion_dc;_ylt=Av1ZhMJiI.45X5dPFkXxYoOs0NUE

by Corina Ciubotaru for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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