When Syria thinks it has the upper hand

Gateway Pundit:

"Today Pierre was martyred for the cause. He died for Lebanon, for freedom, and for humanity. Those who love him will not desecrate his memory with acts... We want the Lebanese cause to triumph. I wish upon all those who loved Pierre to safeguard the cause."

Amin Gemayel
On the death of his son, Pierre Gemayel
November 21, 2006

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After ominous warnings this on Sunday by Hassan Nasrallah that Hezbollah would topple the Lebanese government, anti-Syrian Christian minister Pierre Gemayel was murdered today in Beirut!

Syria is being blamed for the attack today!

HERE is the video of Nasrallah from Sunday warning the Lebanese that Hezbollah will topple the US backed government... with special blame on "Bloodsucking Condoleezza Rice".

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There is more including photos. I think it is probably that the recent talk of entering into a dialog with Syria over the war in Iraq may have tempted someone to commit this murder. Hezballah may have done it to implicate Syria to derail the talks. If Hezballah did it there is little doubt that Iran knew what was going on since they have acted as Iran's proxy army for some time. I think Iran thrives on the destabilization in the Middle East and is willing to use its assets to keep things stirred.

While it is possible that Syria may have been dumb enough to order this murder, they were dumb enough to murder Hariri, this murder is not in their interest at a time when the Security Counsel was weighing murder charges in the Hariri matter.

BTW, John Bolten was just outstanding in responding to this latest situation in Lebanon. The Democrats are doing a disservice to the country by denying him a vote on confirmation. They should be ashamed, but they are a party without shame when it comes to politics.

The Belmont Club also thinks the recent softening of our approach to Syria may have been enough to give the thugs the green light. Perhaps it was the election of the Democrats that also led them to believe there would be no consequence for their murder. There is much more including links to other comments on the murder. Many think Syria was misguided enough to push the plot along with Hezballah.

Whalid Phares at the Counterterrorism Blog thinks strong action is indicated in the UN.

"Removing Lahoud and applying chapter 7"

The assassination of Minister Pierre Gemayel in Beirut is another war crime against the democratically elected Government and Parliament of Lebanon, and another strike in the Terror War waged by the Syrian regime and its allies against the Cedars Revolution and Lebanon's targeted democracy. Hence, the response should be produced by the international community, starting from the United Nations' Security Council to the various countries worldwide concerned with democracy and human rights.

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There is much more. Douglas Farah comments on the danger of empowering terrorist states. Oliver Guitta says the timing is not that surprising. Michael Totten who has spent some time in Lebanon is continuously update with reports from his sources in the country. This is from the Daily Star on Lebanon.