Assassination of Rafik Hariri (2005)
The assassination of Rafik Hariri on February 14, 2005, was a significant event in Lebanese history, marking a turning point for the nation. Hariri, a prominent businessman and two-time prime minister, played a crucial role in Lebanon's reconstruction following its devastating civil war. His death, caused by a car bomb in Beirut that also killed 21 others, was widely attributed to Syrian agents and Hezbollah, a powerful militant group allied with Syria. The incident incited widespread protests in Lebanon, known as the Cedar Revolution, which ultimately led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops after nearly 30 years of military presence, perceived by many as an occupation.
Following the assassination, the United Nations established a tribunal to investigate the crime, which faced resistance from pro-Syrian factions in Lebanon. In 2011, the tribunal issued indictments against four members of Hezbollah, further complicating Lebanon's already fragile political landscape, which includes a delicate balance among its diverse religious groups. The implications of Hariri's assassination continue to resonate in Lebanon, highlighting the ongoing struggles for power and stability in a country marked by its complex sectarian dynamics.
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Assassination of Rafik Hariri (2005)
Summary: Rafik Hariri was a Lebanese businessman and popular two-time prime minister who fought to rebuild his country after decades of civil war. For nearly 30 years, there was a Syrian military presence in Lebanon, which was perceived by many to be an occupation. On February 14, 2005, a car bomb in Beirut killed Hariri, in addition to 21 other people. The explosion was generally attributed to Syrian agents and to Hezbollah, which is allied with Syria. The assassination sparked widespread protests inside Lebanon and ultimately succeeding in expelling the Syrian troops, following three decades of de facto occupation. The assassination exacerbated an ongoing political struggle inside Lebanon, where Hezbollah is the most powerful religious and military faction.
In May 2009, the United Nations Special Tribunal for Lebanon began proceedings to identify those responsible for the assassination. The issue threatened to disrupt the fragile balancing act between Lebanon's competing religious factions, and even plunge the country into a renewed civil war. In June 2011, the U.N. tribunal issued indictments of four members of Hezbollah, although Hezbollah's leader has refused to respond.
Date: February 14, 2005.
Place: Beirut, Lebanon.
In-Depth Overview
History. Lebanon, which borders Syria along the Mediterranean coast, was created by Europe after the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, when it became a part of the French Mandate. Many Syrian leaders have continued to believe that Lebanese territory is by right a part of Syria.
After the 1967 war, Lebanon became deeply embroiled in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, when Palestinians began using southern Lebanon as a base to launch attacks on Israel. In 1969, Lebanon agreed to give the Palestine Liberation Organization limited autonomy and control over Palestinians living in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's population is largely Christian, but some areas have significant numbers of Muslims, and internal debates over policy toward Israeli underscored the religious tensions.
By 1975, those tensions had deteriorated into civil war, as Lebanese Muslims and Palestinians challenged the government, which was controlled by Maronite Christians. In response, the Maronite Christians invited Syrian troops to help maintain order that year. Under the auspices of a "peacekeeping role," the Syrian military entered Lebanon and maintained a presence for nearly 30 years, which was perceived by many to be an occupation. In 1989, the Taif Accord ended the Lebanese civil war, and a peaceful parliamentary democracy was implemented. However, a contingent of about 40,000 Syrian troops remained inside the country.
From 1975-1990, billionaire businessman Rafik Hariri spearheaded Lebanon's rebirth and reconstruction after the civil war, especially in Beirut. Widely popular in Lebanon, Hariri was elected prime minister twice, in 1992 and in 2000. Although Hariri never directly criticized Syria, he maintained an antagonistic relationship with Lebanon's pro-Syrian president, Émile Lahoud. In 1998, Hariri resigned from his post as prime minister, though he was re-elected in 2000. In 2004, Hariri resigned again when Syrian President Bashar al-Assad demanded that Lebanon extend Lahoud's term beyond the constitution's limits. According to testimony, Assad boasted that Lahoud was his representative in Lebanon, and he threatened Hariri with violence when Hariri refused to support him.
On February 14, 2005, a bomb exploded near Hariri's motorcade, killing him and 21 others. In the aftermath, most of the speculation for who killed Hariri centered on Syrian agents or pro-Syrian elements in Lebanon. Although Assad quickly condemned the attack, many Lebanese accused Syrian officials and Hezbollah, the militant Shiite group that dominates Syria and southern Lebanon, of being involved. Hezbollah, which is allied with Syria, is also the most powerful military and political faction in Lebanon.
The assassination sparked a movement dubbed the "Cedar Revolution," when large crowds gathered in Beirut to demand that Syria withdraw its occupying troops. With additional pressure from the United States and France, Syrian troops withdrew by the end of April 2005. Hariri's assassination also became a symbol of the conflict and political balancing act between Lebanon's main religious groups: Sunni Muslims, Shiites, and Christians.
Given the rising tensions between Syria and Lebanon, the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 1595 to assist Lebanese authorities in the investigation. The initial report implicated Syrian authorities as well as senior Lebanese intelligence officials of involvement. In 2005, four top Lebanese security force commanders, all thought to be aligned with Syria, were forced to resign and were placed in detention.
In 2007, the U.N. authorized an international tribunal to investigate the murder, called the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Pro-Syrian forces in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, vehemently objected to the tribunal, as did Syria. In March 2009, the Tribunal officially opened at The Hague. The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution expressing strong support for the tribunal, which was interpreted as a message to the governments of Lebanon and Syria.
In June 2009, Hariri's son, Saad, became prime minister of Lebanon. Hezbollah demanded that Saad's government ignore any indictments issued by the tribunal. Saad refused, and in January 2011 Hezbollah (which occupies the largest bloc of seats in parliament) withdrew support from Hariri's government, forcing his resignation. Although the position of prime minister is reserved for a Sunni Muslim, the continuation of the government depends on the support of parliamentary parties, including the Shiite Hezbollah. Saad Hariri was replaced by wealthy businessman Najib Mikati.
On June 30, 2011, the tribunal issued four arrest warrants in the case. The suspects include Mustafa Badreddine, a former deputy military commander of Hezbollah who allegedly supervised the assassination, and Salim Ayyash, another leader of Hezbollah and an American citizen. The other two suspects are lower-ranking members of Hezbollah: Assad Sabra and Hassan Anise. Three days after the warrants were issued, the leader of Hezbollah, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, declared that "even in 300 years" authorities would not be able to touch the suspects. The indictments are considered a new challenge to the government of Prime Minister Mikati to uphold the law.
On the Web
Report of the International Independent Investigation Commission established pursuant to the Security Council [into assassination of Rafik Hariri]. Oct. 20, 2005. http://www.un.org/News/dh/docs/mehlisreport/
Security Council authorizes establishment of special tribunal to try suspects in assassination of Rafiq Hariri. (Text of resolution), May 30, 2007. http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sc9029.doc.htm