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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran | ||||
| Underground Explosion Caused Hariri Blast | ||||
| 2006-05-23 | ||||
| Chief U.N. investigator Serge Brammertz is almost certain now that the massive blast that killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri over a year ago was caused by an underground explosion that was followed by a truck bomb, a newspaper reported Monday. The Saudi-based Asharq al Awsat newspaper, quoting sources in Lebanon and at U.N. headquarters in New York, said that Brammertz has discovered crucial information about the Feb. 14, 2005 attack that killed Hariri and 22 others at Beirut's seaside Corniche. The inquiry commission has gathered evidence and information showing that the same party was responsible for all crimes that have occurred in Lebanon since the May, 2002 kidnapping and murder of Lebanese Forces activist Ramzi Irani until the Dec., 2005 assassination of An Nahar General Manager Gebran Tueni, the report said.
Earlier this month, Brammertz set up a tent at the bomb site and reopened the crater that was carved by the explosion. The chief investigator and his team have been analyzing soil samples and carrying out a comprehensive survey of all underground tunnels, pipes and the sewage system at the site, Asharq al Awsat said. It is almost certain now that there were two simultaneous bombings, the paper said. The first one, a charge hidden in underground pipes, was set off by remote control causing the second bomb placed in the Mitsubishi to explode.
The article said Brammertz also based his conclusion on eyewitnesses who testified hearing two explosions. Furthermore, he relied on the analysis of recently hired explosives experts who noted cracks in the foundations of the structures near the site and that large amounts of asphalt had landed on the top floors of the buildings in the vicinity, an effect that can only be caused by an underground blast.
The other focus of Brammertz's investigation has been securing an interview with Syrian President Bashar Assad, his Vice President Farouk Sharaa and other members of Syria's Baath regime about their possible connection with the murder. The meeting with Assad and Sharaa took place in Damascus in April. Syria has been largely blamed for the Hariri killing that sparked an international outcry and massive protests in Beirut. The demonstrations led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon in April 2005 ending 29 years of military domination. In spite of the pullout, anti-Syrian politicians still accuse Damascus of destabilizing Lebanon. They hold it responsible for a string of bombings that have targeted politicians and journalists opposed to the Syrian regime since the Oct., 2004 attempt on Telecommunications Minster Marwan Hamadeh. Asharq al Awsat's report mentions for the first time a possible connection between these attacks and the murder of Ramzi Irani, who headed the LF Students' Department. He was kidnapped on May 7, 2002 and his body was found three weeks later in the trunk of his car. Brammertz is expected to return to Beirut on Monday from U.N. headquarters in New York where he held consultations about progress in his investigation and the international tribunal, al Liwa newspaper reported. | ||||
| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 Nah, it was The Mole People. |
| Posted by: Parabellum 2006-05-23 18:06 |
| #2 ConEd |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-05-23 17:18 |
| #1 Mine? Subway? Moles? HALLIBURTON??? |
| Posted by: Brett 2006-05-23 17:11 |
