Al Qaeda suspected in general's murder

AP/CNN:

Lebanon's deeply divided politicians united in mourning Friday for a top general whose death in a car bombing has raised fears that even the respected military has become a target in the country's unending political turmoil.

Schools and business closed as Lebanese staged a momentous farewell for Maj. Gen. Francois Hajj, who was killed along with his driver Wednesday.

Authorities were looking into the possible involvement of al-Qaida-inspired Sunni Muslim extremists seeking vengeance against Hajj, who had led a major offensive against Islamic militants last summer.

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The service was attended by pro-government and opposition politicians, Christian and Muslim. The opposition Hezbollah group sent a delegation.

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The military chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Shawki Masri, promised in a eulogy the army would "not rest until the murderers are apprehended and punished" and called on the government and opposition to set aside their differences and work to end the political deadlock.

"In unity, we will have the strength and we can achieve the impossible," said Masri, the highest-ranking Muslim officer from the Druse sect.

Four Lebanese were detained Wednesday in the southern city of Sidon after the car used in the bombing was found to be registered in their names, a security official said.

Hajj was credited with crushing al-Qaida-inspired fighters known as Fatah Islam who had barricaded themselves in a northern Palestinian refugee camp, Nahr el-Bared, for three months. Hundreds of militants, as well as 168 soldiers, were killed in the fighting, which ended in September. The leader of Fatah Islam escaped the siege.

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This is an interesting development. Al Qaeda appears to have done the impossible. They have united Lebanon in a cause. That the cause is in opposing al Qaeda appears to be another strategic defeat for the Islamist religious bigots. The operation in Lebanon was intended to be a distraction that they hoped would lift pressure on their forces which were losing in Iraq. They have now lost in both places. The Lebanese army showed great patients and determination in defeating the al Qaeda affiliate. Hopefully, Lebanon will do the same in the pursuit of the murderer of the general.