Who killed Hariri? One cannot accuse Robert Fisk, the best Middle East correspondent, of bias or ignorance. He wrote an article based on UN courses, and raises serious questions about the possible complicity of Lebanese and Syrian intelligence services. He obtained this picture, taken 36 hours prior to the bombing of the Hariri convoy, and an object, among other factors according to Fisk--including an attempt to hide crucial evidence, raises questions. The building to the left of the picture has always angered me. It is across from the Phoenicia Hotel (which has a wonderful buffet at the Mosaic Restaurant that I recommend), and looks like a fancy apartment building. When I first inquired about it, I was told that this was an officers' club. The Lebanese government, under the former president and this president--and with Hariri's support, has spent lavishly on the Lebanese military/intelligence apparatus. It upset me because the record of the apparatus is shameful at best. It never defended Lebanon from successive Israeli invasions and attacks, it supplied the right-wing militias during the war with training and arms, and it was used to oppress Lebanese and Palestinians. Yet, the government has been spending lavishly, adding perks to the privileges of officers. And given that the Lebanese government (and indirectly the Syrian government) has not asked, nay pleaded for, an international investigation, those two apparatuses (Syrian and Lebanese) are looking increasingly suspicious, if not guilty. And both the Lebanese and Syrian intelligence services operating in Lebanon have engaged in assassinations and car bombs (as has Israel and Lebanese militias). This will make it difficult, if not impossible, for Lahhud to stay in office. But the opposition, given the sectarian Maronite inclinations of the Maronite patriarch, will not ask for his resignation. Only the Druze sectarian warlord, Walid Jumblat, has asked for Lahhud's resignation. Lahhud is now ruling with Syrian and Lebanese Shi`ite support. It is fair to say that he has lost support among all other sects in Lebanon.
