“Israel killed Hariri”: Latest Arab and Iranian conspiracy theory

February 15, 2005

CONTENTS

1. "Al Qaeda denies involvement in Hariri killing" (Al-Bawaba, Feb. 15, 2005)
2. "Hariri's killing condemned by world leaders, Iran points finger at Israel" (Al- Jazeera.com, Feb. 15, 2005)
3. "Lebanon - Mossad hit-team strikes again" (Islam Online Discussion Forum, Feb. 14, 2005)



AS USUAL, SOME IN THE ARAB WORLD BLAME THE JEWS

[Note by Tom Gross]

Quite predictably, some groups in the Arab world and in Iran have already begun to blame Israel for the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri yesterday. (Hariri was killed in a powerful bomb explosion that destroyed his convoy on Beirut's seafront, gouging a crater in the street 30 feet wide and 9 feet deep, and killing 11 other people, including seven of his bodyguards.)

Not surprisingly, the Arab media have publicized some of these unfounded conspiratorial claims. I attach articles from al-Bawaba, al-Jazeera and a discussion group on Islam Online about "previous Mossad assassinations." (The claim that Israel killed among others Lebanese Christian leader Bashir Gemayel – who was a strong supporter of the Jewish state – is particularly laughable.) There are likely to be more conspiracy theories bounded about the Arab media world in the coming days concerning Hariri's death.

SYRIA MAY HAVE USED HIZBULLAH TO DO ITS DIRTY WORK

Hariri was a staunch opponent of Syria's long-standing military occupation of (partly-Christian) Lebanon and of Syria's continued illegal land grabs.

Both U.S. and Israeli intelligence believed that Syria used the Lebanese Shia terrorist group Hizbullah to kill Hariri, a Sunni Muslim, who had many allies among Lebanese Christians.

In Paris, Lebanon's most prominent exile, former army commander Gen. Michel Aoun, also said that he suspects Syria was behind the assassination. The Syrians "totally control the country," Aoun said on France-Info radio. "Nothing moves without it being controlled by the Syrians."

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud called the killing "a dark point in our national history." Lebanon has declared three days of national mourning for Hariri.

-- Tom Gross

 

SUMMARIES

AL-QAEDA DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN HARIRI KILLING

"Al-Qaeda denies involvement in Hariri killing" (Al Bawaba, February 15, 2005)

A day following the attack in which former Lebanese premier Rafic al-Hariri was killed, a statement posted on the web Tuesday and attributed to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network denied any involvement in the incident. It said Lebanese, Syrian or Israeli intelligence were those behind the Beirut attack.

The statement, signed by an unknown group calling itself the al-Qaeda Organization in the Levant, was posted on an Islamist website often used by al-Qaeda… "Blaming the Jihadist and Salafist groups for what happened in Beirut is a complete fabrication," the statement said, according to Reuters... "This is clearly an operation that was planned by a state intelligence agency ... and we blame either the Mossad, the Syrian regime or the Lebanese regime."

 

IRAN POINTS FINGER AT ISRAEL

"Al Hariri's killing condemned by world leaders, Iran points finger at Israel" (Al Jazeera.com, February 15, 2005)

"Yesterday's assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al Hariri was condemned by several world leaders; from France, Palestine, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Italy and the White House.

Although Damascus itself strongly condemned Al Hariri's killing, some openly pointed the finger of suspicion at Syria, which hinted on Monday that some were trying to "sow division" between the two countries, Syria and Lebanon... Bush discussed the former PM's killing with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, McClellan said, after an unknown militant group claimed in a video that it was behind the assassination of Al Hariri for his ties with Saudi Arabia.

... Iran expressed concern about the fallout of what it described as a "terrorist act", pointing finger at Israel.

"An organized terrorist structure such as the Zionist regime has the capacity for such an operation whose aim is to undermine the unity of Lebanon," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency.

... European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana praised Hariri as "a man of peace and a great friend."

 

"MOSSAD HIT-TEAM STRIKES AGAIN"

"Former Lebanese PM Assassinated: Lebanon - Mossad hit-team strikes again" (Islam Online Discussion Forum, February 14, 2005)

"A car bomb took the life of Lebanon's former prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri today. It would not be the first time that Israel has, directly or indirectly, has targeted Arab leaders... Israeli Mossad has always been considered the possible key player' behind the scene in the following murders:

... September 1982 - Bashir Gemayel, elected president, is killed before taking office by a bomb. His brother Amin becomes president..."



FULL ARTICLES

AL QAEDA DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN HARIRI KILLING

Al Qaeda denies involvement in Hariri killing
Al Bawaba
February 15, 2005

www.albawaba.com/en/news/180111

A day following the attack in which former Lebanese premier Rafic al-Hariri was killed, a statement posted on the web Tuesday and attributed to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network denied any involvement in the incident. It said Lebanese, Syrian or Israeli intelligence were those behind the Beirut attack.

The statement, signed by an unknown group calling itself the Al Qaeda Organization in the Levant, was posted on an Islamist website often used by al Qaeda, a day after another unknown Islamist group claimed it was behind the massive blast that killed Hariri and eight others. Several hours after the attack, Al Jazeera TV broadcast a video tape from the unknown Islamist group which said it had killed Hariri because of his Saudi ties.

"Blaming the Jihadist and Salafist groups for what happened in Beirut is a complete fabrication," the statement said, according to Reuters. "The priorities of the jihadist groups in the Levant are supporting our brethren in Iraq and Palestine, not blowing up cars."

"This is clearly an operation that was planned by a state intelligence agency ... and we blame either the Mossad, the Syrian regime or the Lebanese regime."

 

AL HARIRI'S KILLING CONDEMNED BY WORLD LEADERS, IRAN POINTS FINGER AT ISRAEL

Al Hariri's killing condemned by world leaders, Iran points finger at Israel
Al Jazeera.com
February 15, 2005

www.aljazeera.com/me.asp?service_ID=7079

Yesterday’s assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al Hariri was condemned by several world leaders; from France, Palestine, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Italy and the White House.

Although Damascus itself strongly condemned Al Hariri's killing, some openly pointed the finger of suspicion at Syria, which hinted on Monday that some were trying to "sow division" between the two countries, Syria and Lebanon.

Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed on Monday in a powerful bomb explosion that destroyed his convoy on Beirut's seafront.

Analysts say that Al Hariri's assassination came at a time of high political tension, as legislative elections are to be held in the coming few months and the U.S. is trying to step up international pressure on over Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon.

Seizing the chance to increase its pressure on Syria, the United States condemned the killing of Al Hariri, repeating its call for the immediate withdrawal of the Syrian troops from Lebanon.

U.S. President George W. Bush "was shocked and angered" by the brutal attack which killed Al Hariri, claiming the lives of another 9 people with him, said Scott McClellan, White House spokesman.

"This murder today is a terrible reminder that the Lebanese people must be able to pursue their aspirations and determine their own political future free from violence and intimidation and free from Syrian occupation," he said.

Shortly after Al Hariri’s killing, the U.S. president contacted, allies, governments in the region, and the UN Security Council to "punish those responsible" for the killing and force Syria to pull out its troops from Lebanon, said the spokesman.

Bush discussed the former PM's killing with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, McClellan said, after an unknown militant group claimed in a video that it was behind the assassination of Al Hariri for his ties with Saudi Arabia.

Although McClellan stopped short of blaming Damascus or any other country for the attack, Israel quickly pointed the finger at Syria, with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom claiming that some rebel groups backed by Syria could be behind the assassination.

Speaking to the Israeli radio from Paris, Shalom said: "I cannot say for certain that Syria is behind the attack but there are many groups which could have carried it out".

During his visit to Paris, Shalom met with French President Jacques Chirac, a close personal friend of Hariri. Chirac called for an immediate probe into the killing.

"France strongly condemns this crime. It asks that an international inquiry be launched without delay to determine the circumstances of this tragedy and who is responsible," his office said.

The Israeli foreign minister said there was "no doubt that Syria... is uncomfortable with the prospect of elections in Lebanon, and the last thing they want is to be forced to leave Lebanon."

Saudi Arabia sent "the kingdom's heartfelt condolences" and stressed its "total rejection of terrorist acts against innocents that seek to plant chaos and destruction".

On the other hand, UN chief Kofi Annan said that the bombing was from "a chapter in Lebanon's history" that he had hoped was over.

"Such acts are a reversion to a chapter in Lebanon's history that he had hoped was long past. It is imperative that the already fragile situation in the region should not be further destabilised," his office said in a statement.

Syria swiftly condemned the assassination, with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad calling it an a "terrible criminal act ".

"The Syrian government and people stand alongside brotherly Lebanon in this dangerous situation and convey our sincerest condolences to the family of Mr Hariri and the families of the other victims," President Assad said.

Al-Assad urged the Lebanese people "to reinforce their national unity and reject all those who aim to cause trouble and sow division among the people".

The Syrian Information Minister Mahdi Dakhl-Allah stated, "Syria regards this as an act of terrorism, a crime that seeks to destabilise Lebanon."

He further added, "Syria expressed its support and backing for Lebanon," and that it was a "black day" for Syria, Lebanon and all Arabs.

Hariri, a self-made billionaire who helped rebuild his country after decades of war was described by Dakhl-Allah as "…a distinguished popular Lebanese leader who fought for

Lebanon's growth, prosperity and independence. It's a criminal, terrorist act that aims to shake Lebanon's stability and kill as many Lebanese as possible."

"This comes at a time of great international pressure on Lebanon and Syria which aims to realise Israel's desires in the region and this act cannot be separated from these pressures," he added.

Commenting on Al Hariri’s assassination, the Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said that the former Prime Minister had died a "martyr for a united Lebanon", ordering three days of mourning and a state funeral for him.

Iran accuses Israel

Also Iran expressed concern about the fallout of what it described as a "terrorist act", pointing finger at Israel.

"An organized terrorist structure such as the Zionist regime has the capacity for such an operation whose aim is to undermine the unity of Lebanon," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency.

Raising concerns about Lebanon's stability, Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa said: "I hope we will all contribute to maintaining peace and security in Lebanon."

Also Nabil Abu Rudeina, the Palestinian Authority spokesman, condemned the killing as "a crime against the Lebanese people and a blow to the stability of Lebanon."

The Japanese foreign ministry also denounced Al Hariri's assassination saying that: "Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason. Japan renews its firm condemnation against such terrorist attack."

Also British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that the former Prime Minister Hariri helped a lot in rebuilding Lebanon after the civil war.

"Until now, Beirut and Lebanon as a whole have enjoyed relative peace and security, so this is a setback as well as an act of terror," he said.

In Germany, Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer also voiced his condemnation and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent a message of condolence.

Also Gianfranco Fini, the Italian Foreign Minister, sent a message to Lebanese counterpart Mahmud Hammud expressing his country's condolences after the "vile attack".

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana praised Hariri as "a man of peace and a great friend."

 

"LEBANON-MOSSAD HIT TEAM STRIKES AGAIN"

Former Lebanese PM assassinated:
Lebanon - Mossad hit-team strikes again
Islam Online Discussion Forum
February 14, 2005

www.islamonline.net/Discussion/English/bbs.asp?action=maintopic&aParID=482426&aPathID=242&aGroupID=88601&aSubject=Lebanon+%2D+Mossad+%91hit%2Dteam%92+strikes+again

A car bomb took the life of Lebanon's former prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri today. It would not be the first time that Israel has, directly or indirectly, has targeted Arab leaders to keep its neighbouring countries in turmoil. During its invasion of Lebanon in the 1980s, the Zionists used their Christian proxy, Phalangists, to assassinate several Lebanese leaders, both Muslims and Christians. Israeli Mossad has always been considered the possible 'key player' behind the scene in the following murders:

March 1977 - Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt is killed in ambush in his Shouf mountain fiefdom in central Lebanon . June 1978 - Tony Franjieh, son of former President Suleiman Franjieh, is assassinated in raid by rival militias at his home in Ehden, north Lebanon.

September 1982 - Bashir Gemayel, elected president, is killed before taking office by a bomb. His brother Amin becomes president.

June 1987 - Lebanon's veteran Prime Minister Rashid Karami is killed by a bomb in an army helicopter in Tripoli. Karami was serving his ninth term as prime minister in a 37-year career.

May 1989 - Grand Mufti Sheikh Hassan Khaled, religious head of Lebanon 's Sunni community, is killed by a car bomb in Beirut. The blast killed 22 people and wounded 80.

November 1989 - President Rene Muawad is killed in a huge bomb explosion in Beirut.

October 1990 - Gunmen killed Dany Chamoun, chairman of the National Liberal Party, in a Beirut suburb.

February 1992 - Israelis killed Abbas Mussawi, a Hizbullah leader, in helicopter ambush of his convoy near village of Jibsheet in south Lebanon.

January 2002 - Elie Hobeika, former minister and leader of pro-Israeli militia involved in 1982 massacre of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, is killed in Beirut.

May 2002 - Mohammad Jihad Ahmad Jibril, son of Ahmad Jibril, leader of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine General-Command (PFLP-GC), is killed in car bomb in Beirut.


All notes and summaries copyright © Tom Gross. All rights reserved.