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14/02/2005
Former Lebanon Prime Minister killed in bomb blast
Former Lebanese prime minister, Rafik Hariri, has been killed in a bomb attack in Beirut.
At least nine other people are reported to have been killed in the explosion, which is believed to have been caused by a car bomb.
Two former ministers, Samir al-Jisr and Bassel Fleihan, were also killed in the blast, the aim of which, it is believed, was to assassinate Mr Hariri.
A burning man was also captured on camera, trying to escape from the car.
The blast, which occurred alongside the St. George Hotel, reportedly caused a huge crater in the street, set several nearby vehicles on fire and destroyed several buildings.
A civil war ravaged Lebanon in the 1980's, which led to the kidnapping of several westerners, including Terry Waite. However, the area has remained relatively peaceful throughout the 1990s.
Mr Hariri had been one of the country's leading politicians since the end of the civil war in 1990.
Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, expressed his condolences upon hearing the news of Mr Hariri's death. He said: "Mr Hariri played a big role in rebuilding Lebanon after the devastation of the civil war. Until now, Beirut and Lebanon as a whole have enjoyed relative peace and security, so this is a setback, as well as an act of terror. I deplore this attack on a highly respected figure, on deomcracy and on the stability of Lebanon."
(KMcA/SP)
At least nine other people are reported to have been killed in the explosion, which is believed to have been caused by a car bomb.
Two former ministers, Samir al-Jisr and Bassel Fleihan, were also killed in the blast, the aim of which, it is believed, was to assassinate Mr Hariri.
A burning man was also captured on camera, trying to escape from the car.
The blast, which occurred alongside the St. George Hotel, reportedly caused a huge crater in the street, set several nearby vehicles on fire and destroyed several buildings.
A civil war ravaged Lebanon in the 1980's, which led to the kidnapping of several westerners, including Terry Waite. However, the area has remained relatively peaceful throughout the 1990s.
Mr Hariri had been one of the country's leading politicians since the end of the civil war in 1990.
Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, expressed his condolences upon hearing the news of Mr Hariri's death. He said: "Mr Hariri played a big role in rebuilding Lebanon after the devastation of the civil war. Until now, Beirut and Lebanon as a whole have enjoyed relative peace and security, so this is a setback, as well as an act of terror. I deplore this attack on a highly respected figure, on deomcracy and on the stability of Lebanon."
(KMcA/SP)
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The Lebanese army has been placed on high alert, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in the capital, Beirut, yesterday. The army has been placed on high alert, amid fears that the assassination could mark a return to the conflict last seen in the 15-year civil war, which ended in 1990.
Lebanese army on 'high alert' following assassination
The Lebanese army has been placed on high alert, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in the capital, Beirut, yesterday. The army has been placed on high alert, amid fears that the assassination could mark a return to the conflict last seen in the 15-year civil war, which ended in 1990.
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