Outgoing Lebanese PM Wounded in Bombing
By Matthew Levitt
Driving through a Christian neighborhood in north Beirut, outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister (and Defense Minister) Elias Murr was wounded in a bombing that targeted his convoy killing at least 2 and wounding 12. Murr, a pro-Syrian politician in his own right, is also the son-in-law of the stunchly pro-Syrian President of Lebanon, Emile Lahoud.
The attempted assassination is the first such bombing targeting a pro-Syrian figure in the wake of several attacks on prominent anti-Syrian leaders, including former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri (February 14), journalist Samir Kassir (June 2), and former Communist Party chief George Hawi (June 21).
The attack, likely meant as more of a message to Lahoud more than anything else, comes just as Lebanese parties are jockeying for position in the formation of a new government.
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