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Robert Fisk on the Beirut Bombing, U.S.-Syrian Relations and the Iraqi Elections
Longtime foreign correspondent Robert Fisk joins us from his home in Beirut. He is the author of "Pity the Nation: The Abduction of Lebanon." He arrived at the scene of the assassination of former Prime Minister on Monday just moments after the explosion and describes what happened.
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was buried today amid chaotic scenes at a mosque in Beirut. He was killed along with 14 others in a massive bomb blast on Monday. Over 150,000 mourners marched in a funeral procession to the Muhammed Amin mosque in one of Lebanon's biggest and most diverse gatherings for decades.
Reuters reports the funeral turned into an outpouring of public wrath against Syria, which is blamed by opposition leaders for the killing. Some 15,000 Syrian troops are stationed in Lebanon.
Hariri's family turned down government offers of a state funeral. They made clear government officials such as Syrian-backed President Emile Lahoud, along with his prime minister and interior miniter, were not welcome to attend the funeral. Hariri resigned as prime minister last October after falling out with Syria over its role in extending the presidential term of Lahoud.
Meanwhile, the US has recalled its ambassador to Syria to protest the bombing. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters she was not blaming the attack on Syria but said its presence in Lebanon was destabilizing. She said the US was discussing a response to the bombing with the UN, and considering further diplomatic sanctions against Syria over a range of US complaints.
Meanwhile, French President Jacques Chirac will travel to Beirut Wednesday to attend the funeral. Several other foreign dignitaries are also expected, including US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns, Arab League General Secretary Amr Moussa and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
Yesterday, we spoke with journalist Robert Fisk in Lebanon. Fisk is the Chief Middle East correspondent for the London Independent and has lived in Beirut for many years. He is the author of "Pity the Nation: The Abduction of Lebanon." He arrived at the scene just moments after the explosion Monday and described what happened.
LISTEN ONLINE
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/02/16/156249
Reuters reports the funeral turned into an outpouring of public wrath against Syria, which is blamed by opposition leaders for the killing. Some 15,000 Syrian troops are stationed in Lebanon.
Hariri's family turned down government offers of a state funeral. They made clear government officials such as Syrian-backed President Emile Lahoud, along with his prime minister and interior miniter, were not welcome to attend the funeral. Hariri resigned as prime minister last October after falling out with Syria over its role in extending the presidential term of Lahoud.
Meanwhile, the US has recalled its ambassador to Syria to protest the bombing. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters she was not blaming the attack on Syria but said its presence in Lebanon was destabilizing. She said the US was discussing a response to the bombing with the UN, and considering further diplomatic sanctions against Syria over a range of US complaints.
Meanwhile, French President Jacques Chirac will travel to Beirut Wednesday to attend the funeral. Several other foreign dignitaries are also expected, including US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns, Arab League General Secretary Amr Moussa and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
Yesterday, we spoke with journalist Robert Fisk in Lebanon. Fisk is the Chief Middle East correspondent for the London Independent and has lived in Beirut for many years. He is the author of "Pity the Nation: The Abduction of Lebanon." He arrived at the scene just moments after the explosion Monday and described what happened.
LISTEN ONLINE
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/02/16/156249
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