Remebering A Middle East Spymaster

Requiem For A Middle East Spymaster -- David Ignatius, Washington Post

Three days before his murder, Gen. Wissam al-Hassantold me in a telephone interview from France that his contacts with the Syrian opposition put him “under a big light for Hezbollah” and made it “complicated for me to move” because he was a potential target.

The Lebanese intelligence chief’s comments have the haunting quality of words from the other side of the grave, following his death Oct. 19 in a car-bomb attack in Beirut. He knew he would be in danger back in Lebanon because he had challenged the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. But he went home anyway because it was his duty, and also his passion.

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My Comment: One more sign on how Syria's civil war is now spilling across borders. Max Fisher has a must read post on why Gen. Wissam al-Hassantold was important, and why his death will impact the region.

Lebanon`s Intelligence Chief Killed In Beirut Bombing

Bomb Blast Kills At Least 8 Including Top Security Official -- New York Times

BEIRUT, Lebanon — A large bomb exploded in the heart of Beirut’s Christian section on Friday, killing a top Lebanese security official and at least seven others, wounding dozens and spreading panic in a city where memories of sectarian violence from Lebanon’s long civil war have been resurrected by the conflict in neighboring Syria.

The security official, Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan, was apparently the intended target of the explosion, which ripped into buildings, upended cars and shattered windows for blocks in the most serious bombing to hit Beirut in at least four years. He was officially declared dead a few hours after the blast in an announcement on Lebanese television.

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More News On Today`s Bombing In Beirut

Security chief dies in Beirut blast - live updates -- The Guardian
Beirut blast kills at least 8, injures dozens, in deadliest attack in years -- Washington Post
Car bomb rocks Beirut: At least eight dead, 118 injured (VIDEO, PHOTOS) -- RT
Beirut car bomb kills 8, link seen to Syria war -- Reuters
Beirut bombing: Syrian conflict risks return to dark days -- The Telegraph
Beirut car bomb: Lebanese police intelligence chief reported dead -- The Telegraph
Senior Lebanese security official killed in Beirut blast-official -- Reuters
Lebanon blast: Car bombing in Beirut kills eight -- BBC
At Least 8 Killed in Beirut Car Bomb Blast -- Wall Street Journal
Lebanon: Beirut bomb is 'seen as warning of more to come' -- The Telegraph
On Twitter, Videos and Photos of the Aftermath of the Beirut Bombing -- The Lede/New York Times