A massive explosion ripped through the hotel quarter in down town Beirut today killing Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Upto nine other people were also killed and over 100 injured.
Eyewitnesses said the explosion, which left a10 meter crater outside the famous St. Georges Hotel, was the largest in Lebanon since the end of that country’s bloody. Several nearby buildings, including the landmark Phoenicia and Intercontinental and the Monroe were heavily damaged, as was a building housing the British bank HSBC . Hariri, a billionaire who made his money as a contractor in Saudi Arabia, was Prime Minister of Lebanon until last October when he fell out with Syria and moved to the opposition.
Hariri, who was pronounced dead upon arrival at the American University Hospital in Beirut, was instrumental in the reconstruction of downtown Beirut which was destroyed during the 17 year civil war.
Update: - Estimated 1000 kgs of TNT used. - Lebanese authorities announce three days of official morning - governmnet offices and businesses to close. - Popular demonstrations seen in souther city of Saida - Hariri's home town - tyres burnt in streets. - Emotional scenes outside American University Hospital where body was taken - people congregating in large numbers. - Attack condemned by Syrian Foreign Minister.
FEBRUARY 14, 2005
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Destroyed vehicles that formed the motorcade carrying Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Firemen douse one of the twenty odd cars that were destroyed in the explosion.
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The massive crater left by the explosion, surrounded by security personel. At the far end are the destroyed vehicles that formed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's motorcade.
Rescue workers carry out the body of one of the 10 people killed in the explosion that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
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Security personnel measuring the huge crater caused by the explosion that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri - the crater measured over 15 meters.
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A relative of one of those killed in the explosion grieving.
FEBRUARY 15, 2005 Southern Lebanese City of Saidon
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Soldiers from the Lebanese army keep a close watch on supporters mourning the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in the Centre of the Southern Lebanese city of Saido. Hariri was born to into a poor family from Saidon and was well loved in the City.
Female residents of the southern city of Sidon publicly mourn the assassinated former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.
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Angry protesters denounce the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri around a smouldering rubbish tip that they had set on fire. Hariri was born to into a poor family from Saidon and was well loved in the City.
An elderly woman cries in front of a poster of former Lebanese PM Rafik Harir in the Centre of the Southern Lebanese city of Saidon. Hariri was born to into a poor family from Saidon and was well loved in the City.
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Angry residents of the southern Lebanese city of Saidon warn of retaliation against those they blame for the assassination on former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.
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A poster of assassinated former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri with black mourning shroud adourns the main artery into the southern Lebanese city of Saidon. Hariri was born in Saidon and was well loved in the City.
A young bow crosses the vandalised main market street of the southern Lebanese city of Saidon. Angry supporters of assassinated former Lebanese PM Rafik Harir took to the streets and burnt tires, rubbish tips and damaged and burnt cars. Hariri was born in Saidon and was well loved in the City.
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An elderly man shows sign of grief at the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in the southern Lebanese city of Saidon. Hariri was born in Saidon and was well loved in the City.
Supporters of assassinated former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in Saidon paste posters of their leader on cars in mourning and in iance against those they accused of assassinating him.
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A delivery boy walks past a huge poster mourning assassinated former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in the southern Lebanese city of Saidon. Hariri was born in Saidon and was well loved in the City.
FEBRUARY 15, 2005 Beirut
FEBRUARY 16, 2005 Funeral of slain ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri
Tens of thousands of Lebanese supporters of slain ex PM Rafik Hariri attended his funeral in downtown Beirut.
"We will cry blood instead of tears for you" reads this banner carried by mourners at the funeral of slain ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in downtown Beirut.
Large number of Druze clerics in white turbans lead the procession of Lebanon's Druze community at the funeral of slain ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.
Sunni clerics in white turbans form a line as they lead mourners in the funeral of slain ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.
Sunni moslem clerics in white turbans form a line as they lead mourners in the funeral of slain ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri. Hariri was a prominent Sunni moslem from the southern Lebanese city of Saidon
Cars carrying relatives of slain ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri and others who were killed in the explosion of Febryary 14 struggle to get through the crowds on their way to the mosque where last rites are to be carried out.
Banner reads "Authorities [governmnet] go to hell" - many opposition members and Hariri supporters blame the government for his assassination - if not for directly carrying it out, for allowing it to happen.
Two Lebanese women are near tears as they carry posters of slain ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri and wait for his funeral procession to pass.
Two Lebanese women wearing T-shirts with pictures of slain ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri entitled ‘Martyred Leader’ walk in his funeral.
The ambulance carrying the body of slain ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri is surrounded by a sea of emotional mourners as it arrives at the Mohammad Al Ameen Mosque in downtown Beirut. Hariri donated part of the land on which the mosque is being built and helped finance its construction. .
Lebanese security forces have been on high alert since the assassination of ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri on February 14. Military personnel were out in force at the funeral and helicopters circled overhead throughout the event. Here, one helicopter flies past the yet unfinished minarets of the Mohammad Al Ameen mosque where Hariri was laid to rest in downtown Beirut. Hariri donated part of the land on which the mosque is built and contributed to financing construction.
In a highly charged and tense environmnet, ex Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri is laid to rest by supporters at the Mohammad Al Ameen mosque in downtown Beirut. Hariri donated part of the land on which the mosque is built and contributed to financing construction.
February 17, 2005 Mourning
NB: Pictures taken on assignment for a womens' publication.
"We cry for our martyr ... Beirut cries for our martyr"
"Martyred Leader Rafik Hariri remains in our hearts and will not be forgotten" Future Generations
"You will live on in us, Teacher" - poster depicting the reconstructed downtown Beirut.
"Martyred Leader Rafik Hariri remains in our hearts and will not be forgotten" Future Generations
The country is left teetering between a violent past and a bright future.
