Non-Subscriber Extract
Bomb blast kills senior Lebanese army commander
25 October 2007
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A blast in Beirut on 12 December killed Brigadier-General Francois al-Hajj, the Lebanese army's chief of operations and the man tipped to succeed Michel Suleiman as army chief of staff when Sulieman becomes Lebanese president. |
The attack took place in Baabda, a Christian suburb in east Beirut. Al-Hajj's car appears to have been targeted by a bomb, although the army has so far released few details. Early reports, however, say a suspect was apprehended in the vacinity shortly after the attack. Apart from al-Hajj, four others were killed and dozens wounded.
The attack comes at a sensitive time in Lebanon as the country's rival political factions remain locked in negotiations about the make up of the new government and procedures for making Suleiman president.
Responsibilty for the attack is likely to centre on Sunni extremists, especially those connected to Fatah al-Islam.
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The death of Francois al-Hajj is unlikely to seriously derail the ongoing political negotations in Lebanon over the president and government. In fact, given the unifying role played by the army during its assault on Nahr el-Bared and Suleiman's standing among the parties, it may even spur them to reach an accommodation more urgently. The one thing Lebanon's political leaders are united on is their desire to avert a descent into general violence. However, the threat of further targeted attacks will remain high for the foreseeable future. |