Three senior Syrian and Lebanese security officials are behind former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination in Beirut, the Kuwaiti al-Siasa newspaper reports.
According to the newspaper, the masterminds responsible for Hariri's killing are Syrian General Asef Shawkat, who is Syrian leader Bashar Assad's brother-in-law, senior Syrian intelligence official Bahajat Suleiman, and Lebanon's General Security Directorate Chief Jamil al-Sayyid.
The decision to assassinate Hariri was taken by the "top echelons" of government about a month ago, the newspaper reports. Syrian and Lebanese officials who analyzed Hariri's actions concluded that he "played a dangerous role" and was the "engine" behind Lebanese opposition to Syria's presence in the country.
The officials were reportedly concerned that Hariri was set to achieve an overwhelming victory in upcoming elections for parliament, scheduled for April 27. Moreover, the officials were reportedly worried that a Hariri triumph could potentially bring down the current pro-Syrian regime in Lebanon and lead to the removal of Syrian forces from the country.
Notably, Shawkat was designated as Syria's military intelligence chief Friday. He is considered a member of Syria's "young guard," promoted by Assad to replace more veteran Syrian officials who served under his father, the late Hafez Assad.
Meanwhile, Assad relayed a message to French President Jacques Chirac and expressed his intention to remove Syrian forces from Lebanon in the next six months, al-Siasa reports.
Chirac reportedly refused to discuss Assad's offer, and again called on Syria to fully comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls on Damascus to promptly remove its forces from Lebanon and disarm terror organizations.
U.S. threatens Syria with sanctions
On Friday, Lebanese opposition factions have declared an unarmed "uprising of independence" against Syria and the local pro-Syrian regime in the wake of Hariri's assassination.
Meanwhile, the United States announced it would impose additional sanctions on Syria if Damascus fails to assist in an investigation of the killing.
In their announcement, opposition members called to dismiss the local government, which they say lost all legitimacy, and appoint a provisional government that would "protect the Lebanese people."
The announcement also called on the Syrian army to withdraw from Lebanon, as a means of facilitating free and open elections in the country (slated for May of this year.)
In addition, opposition members called to establish an international commission of inquiry to investigate the Hariri assassination, and called on the international community to offer its protection and safeguard local opposition members and the country as a whole.
Opposition leaders pledged to maintain a democratic uprising and said they refuse to approach Hariri's killing as a routine incident and move on.
Minister resigns
Meanwhile, a cabinet minister announced his resignation Friday. Tourism Minister Farid Khazen, a Christian independent, said in a statement that the government is not capable of running the country at this crucial period and that his decision conforms with "My convictions and my sense of national responsibility."
Earlier Friday, Emile Lahoud made a condolence visit to his slain rival's home, and television footage showed Lahoud talking with two of Hariri's sons. The footage showed one son, Bahaa listening intently to the president while his visibly upset younger brother, Saadeddine, sat not facing toward Lahoud with his eyes tightly shut.
A statement released by Lahoud after the meeting said the investigation would "uncover the circumstances of the ugly crime." He stayed away from Wednesday's funeral at the Hariri family's insistence.
-AP also contributed to the report
First published: 20:54, 02.18.5