The funeral of Antoine Ghanem, who was killed by a bomb Wednesday, September 19, was the latest in what Lebanese Christians have described as a depressing trend in Lebanon during the past two years: crowds marching behind a flag-draped casket, carrying the same banners and shouting the same angry words against the leadership in Damascus.
Lebanese Christians said Wednesday’s car bombing in Beirut’s Christian neighborhood of Sin el-Fil also killed Ghanem’s bodyguard and driver, and three passers-by, while 67 people were wounded. No one has claimed responsibility yet, but Lebanese officials are investigating Syria’s alleged involvement in this and other attacks. Syria’s government has consistently denied
it supports terrorism in Lebanon.
As the investigation continued Friday, September 21, the sound of church bells reverberated throughout the area where mourners crowded streets leading to the Sacred Heart church, where the slain law maker was honored. Family members, including his widow and daughter, were seen greeting a long-line of celebrities and politicians come to pay their last respects.
TOP LEADERS
Lebanon’s top leaders, including pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud were present for the service, alongside former President Amine Gemayel, Druze Leader Walid Jumblatt, Christian Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and pro-government coalition leader Sa’ad Hariri, eyewitnesses said.
Former president Gemayel, whose party Ghanem belonged to, delivered the eulogy saying that Lebanon’s upcoming presidential elections will proceed next week, as scheduled. He recalled that Ghanem, 64, of the right-wing Phalange Party, was the eighth political personality to be killed in a wave of assassinations against anti-Syrian figures that began with the bombing death of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in February 2005.
"Are we, in the Phalange Party, destined to eulogize our martyrs?" asked Gemayel, whose son, Pierre, was assassinated by gunmen in 2006. "Are we destined to shed tears for yet another martyr?" he added, speaking to the gathering at the Maronite Catholic funeral service inside Sacred Heart Church, according to published remarks.
RECONCILIATION POSSIBLE?
Gemayel left open the possibility of reconciliation among Lebanon’s bitterly divided factions, but a crowd outside appeared less inclined toward tolerance.
An Associated Press news agency reporter noted that a small group of youths shouted obscenities about the leader of the militant group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, while an even bigger crowd apparently vented anger at Syrian President Bashar Assad, who is accused of being behind the killings.
Pro-Syrian Parliament speaker Nabih Berri made clear however that parliament will meet as scheduled this Tuesday, September 25, despite the assassination, to chose a new president for Lebanon. There is mounting concern however among Christians in Lebanon that the latest killing will lead to more hostilities in a country still recovering from a devastating civil war.
