Senior Foreign Ministry official Gideon Meir stated today that attempts to link Israel to today\'s car-bomb assassination in Beirut of Phalangist leader Elais Hobeika was \"another libelous action by enemies of Israel.\" Hobeika is widely assumed to be a main figure in the massacre of 900 Arabs in Lebanon 19 years ago. He originally denied it, but confessed some years ago to having \"done some bad things.\"
Lebanese President Emil Lahoud specifically said that Israel was behind the attack, blaming Israel of wanting to prevent Hobeika from testifying against Prime Minister Sharon in a possible upcoming Sabra-and-Shatila trial in Belgium. Israeli sources said, however, that there were many in Lebanon who wanted him dead. Hobeika was a very controversial figure in Lebanese politics, one who changed loyalties more than once; he was last known to be allied with Syria. A little-known organization, \"Lebanese for a Free and Independent Lebanon,\" has claimed responsibility; it demands that all Syrian forces leave the country.
The explosion that accompanied the fatal car bomb also killed three of his bodyguards, wounded three others, and set off a large fire that damaged several homes.
Lebanese President Emil Lahoud specifically said that Israel was behind the attack, blaming Israel of wanting to prevent Hobeika from testifying against Prime Minister Sharon in a possible upcoming Sabra-and-Shatila trial in Belgium. Israeli sources said, however, that there were many in Lebanon who wanted him dead. Hobeika was a very controversial figure in Lebanese politics, one who changed loyalties more than once; he was last known to be allied with Syria. A little-known organization, \"Lebanese for a Free and Independent Lebanon,\" has claimed responsibility; it demands that all Syrian forces leave the country.
The explosion that accompanied the fatal car bomb also killed three of his bodyguards, wounded three others, and set off a large fire that damaged several homes.