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Beirut explosion kills lebanon former communist leader Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=axyKFUOQYuNs&refer=europe http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=axyKFUOQYuNs&refer=europe Beirut Explosion Kills Lebanon's Hawi, an Anti-Syrian (Update2) June 21 (Bloomberg) -- Anti-Syrian politician George Hawi, former Lebanese Communist Party leader, was assassinated in a Beirut car bombing, the government said, a day after the anti- Syrian opposition swept to victory in parliamentary elections. Hawi, 65, was killed instantly when a bomb detonated in his car as he was getting into it, said an Interior Ministry spokesman who declined to be identified. The ministry yesterday announced the fourth and final results of parliamentary elections that gave the anti-Syrian opposition an eight-seat majority in the 128-member assembly. Hawi, who led his party during Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, is the third prominent anti-Syrian to be killed this year. Samir Kassir, a journalist who spoke out against Syria's interference in Lebanese affairs, died June 2 when a bomb planted inside his car exploded as he was starting the engine. The opposition blamed the bombing on Syrian agents. Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated in a Feb. 14 bombing. Outrage at his death led to the April 26 withdrawal of Syrian troops after 29 years of occupation. ``We are stunned,'' the British Broadcasting Corp. cited Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who visited the blast site, as saying. ``With every achievement by the Lebanese state, we see there are those who want to target security and send messages of this sort,'' he said, the BBC reported. Hawi's driver was injured as the car blew up outside the Lebanese politician's house at 10 a.m. local time today in the western Wata Musaitbi district of the capital, the Interior Ministry spokesman said in a telephone interview, adding that further details aren't available. Security Risks Opposition leader Walid Jumblatt told the BBC that ``the life of anybody who wants a democratic Lebanon is in danger.'' He added that it was crucial for the new government to take control of the intelligence services. ``If you don't control the security apparatus, you have to expect anything,'' he said. Al-Jazeera broadcast live pictures from the scene of the attack, showing crowds gathering around Hawi's buckled black Mercedes. Police tried to cordon off the area and were shown examining the wreckage and collecting evidence. Separately, a United Nations probe into the murder of Hariri searched the office and home of the head of Lebanon's presidential guard and brought him in for questioning, al- Jazeera said. Last Updated: June 21, 2005 07:34 EDT

Hariri-blast American forces fire on syrian border troops Beirut blast kills anti syrian paliament member { December 12 2005 } Beirut explosion kills lebanon former communist leader Bomb tears through christian heartland of lebanon Bomb wounds 12 in lebanese christian village Bush chirac call for syrian troop withdrawal Damascus blamed for anti syrian journalist { June 3 2005 } EU sees no change in policy with syria { February 15 2005 } Feds order US banks to sever ties with syria { March 9 2006 } Half million pro syrian lebanon protest in beirut { March 9 2005 } Huge crowds at pro syria rally Lebanese government resigns amid protests Lebanese mourners line beirut streets for hariri Lebanese opposition demands independence uprising Lebanese vent wrath on syria at funeral Lebanese warn of parallels to 1970s volatility { February 16 2005 } Lebanonese protests fill the streets against syria Nearly a million lebanese tell syria to leave { March 15 2005 } Rice blames israeli attack on syria Russia and germany urge syria exit lebanon Saudis call for syria pullout { March 4 2005 } Son of hariri claims victory in lebanon elections { June 20 2005 } Surprise turn as pro syrians poised to win elections Syria and iran say they will build common front Syria ending cooperation with US { May 24 2005 } Syria turns in insurgent leader as goodwill gesture Syria withdraws from northern lebanon { March 11 2005 } Syrians quietly go after 29 years { April 26 2005 } Two thousand protest US embassy in beirut UN tells syria to withdraw { March 11 2005 } United states welcomes protesters in lebanon US and france demand syria leave lebanon { March 1 2005 } US welcomes resignation of prosyrian government US withdraws envoy from syria Files Listed: 34

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