Friday, February 18, 2005

Hariri Assassination Continues to Dominate Middle East News Outlets

Though mentioned rarely now in the US, with its breakneck-speed news cycles, former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri's assassination continues to dominate headlines throughout the middle east. It's hard to think of an analogue for Hariri in the West, but then, in the West former political figures aren't usually targets. Some sample headlines:

From ArabicNews.com
Lebanese government calls the opposition not to play with Hariri's blood

From The Daily Star (Lebanon):
Was Hariri too big for such a small country? and, Everyone is sad over Hariri's loss

Each day since the assassination, Dar Al-Hayat has devoted its front page to coverage of Hariri, with a drawing of Lebanon holding Hariri's lifeless body at the top. Excerpt:
A Declared Crime… It Will Be Repeated
Abdulwahab Badrakhan - Rafiq Al Hariri was the staunchest opponent, even if he did not classify himself as one of them. He was the staunchest supporter, even if he was outside their ranks. The killers did not recognize him this middle position. Perhaps, targeting him is the mistake that will be the beginning of their end.
Syria is considered by most to be the leading suspect in Hariri's murder.