On May 13, Walid Eido, a Lebanese MP and long time anti-Syrian lawmaker, was killed in a blast outside a Beirut health club. A remote car bomb was detonated as Eido’s convoy passed an empty car. Eido’s eldest son and two bodyguards were also killed in the explosions, along with seven other civilians. This is the sixth bombing in Beirut in the last month. However, it differs from the previous blasts in both size and destruction. While the five prior attacks seem to focus on causing fear, this bomb is estimated to weigh as much as 175 pounds and was intended to cause damage.
Eido was a member of the anti-Syrian majority party and ally of the former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, who was assassinated in March 2005. Eido is the sixth anti-Syrian figure to be assassinated since 2005. Others include al-Hariri, journalist Samir Kassir, George Hawi, Gebran Tueni, and Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel. Eido’s death and the resignation of an anti-Syrian coalition member last week reduced the margin of majority to just three in the parliament.
After the assassination of Gemayel in November 2006, the anti-Syrian coalition government attempted to hold by-elections to fill his seat. However, President Lahoud did not give the constitutionally required approval. But on June 16, the cabinet announced that it will hold by-elections on August 5 to fill the seats once held by Eido and Gemayel. Lahoud’s recent comments suggest that he will not approve the elections. However, the governing coalition stated that it will “press on” with the election, even without presidential approval.
Eido’s allies and members of the anti-Syrian coalition, especially those of the Lebanese Future movement, stated that Syria is behind these attacks. Saad al-Hariri, the son of the late prime minister and leader of the Future bloc, accused Syria and Syrian supporters, like Hezbollah, of the attacks. al-Hariri claims that Damascus and pro-Syrian lawmakers are hoping to reduce number of the anti-Syrian ministers in hopes of increasing the pro-Syrian influence over the upcoming parliamentary elections for president.
Syria has condemned the attack and denied any involvement.
For more information please see:
Washington Post: “Political battle looms in Lebanon” 16 June 2007.
Al Jazeera: “Beirut by-elections for slain MPs” 16 June 2007.
The Daily Star: “Eido funeral turns into rally against Syrians, opposition” 15 June 2007.
The Daily Star: “Syria denounces Eido assassination, bristles at accusations of involvement” 15 June 2007.
BBC: “Anti-Syrian MP mourned in Lebanon” 14 June 2007.
The Daily Star: “March 14 MP Walid Eido assassinated in Beirut bombing” 14 June 2007.
ME Times: “Angry mourners blame Syria at Lebanon MP’s funeral” 14 June 2007.
Washington Post: “Anti-Syrian bury slain Lebanese MP, blame Damascus” 14 June 2007.
Al Jazeera: “Beirut bomb kills Politician” 13 June 2007.
Washington Post: “Recent killings of top Lebanese figures” 13 June 2007.
