BEIRUT (AFP) — The killing of a Lebanese politician in the first such attack against a pro-Syrian figure jeopardises national reconciliation efforts already undermined by deep rifts between rival factions.
Saleh Aridi, a senior member of the Lebanese Democratic Party, was assassinated in a car bombing late on Wednesday in his hometown of Baysur, southeast of Beirut.
A security official said the bomb, made of 700 grams (about 1.5 pounds) of explosives, was placed under his car and activated by remote control. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Six people were also slightly wounded in the attack, which was condemned by Lebanese politicians from both ends of the spectrum and by Washington, a key backer of the government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.
"The United States is deeply concerned about the latest violence in Lebanon," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. "Our support for the Lebanese government and its democratic institutions is unwavering."
The Syrian foreign ministry said Damascus "firmly denounces the criminal and terrorist act" and was "convinced that such crimes that target security and stability in Lebanon will not achieve their objectives."
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman warned against any attempt to derail efforts underway at national reconciliation, with the attack taking place just a day after he announced the start of a multi-party dialogue next Tuesday.
"We must beware of conspiracies aimed ... at scuttling efforts toward reconciliation and preparations for national dialogue," Sleiman said in a statement.
Aridi, in his 50s, was a top adviser to pro-Syrian Druze leader and government minister Talal Arslan, a rival to Druze anti-Syrian leader Walid Jumblatt.
Jumblatt said the attack was aimed at sowing discord between his party and Arslan's, which reconciled in May following fierce clashes between rival clans.
Aridi, who was married and had five children, was to be buried in his hometown on Friday. He had played a key role in the reconciliation effort.
"Message received," said Arslan, who rushed back to Lebanon from abroad on hearing of the killing. He refused to speculate as to who was behind the attack.
Aridi, whose party is allied with the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, is the first pro-Syrian figure killed since a string of car bomb attacks began in Lebanon in 2005, targeting mainly anti-Syrian politicians.
In February 2005, five-times former premier Rafiq Hariri was killed by a huge bomb on the Beirut seafront.
The international and domestic backlash against his killing resulted in Syria withdrawing its forces from its tiny neighbour after nearly 30 years.
But Lebanon and Syria just last month announced their intention to open diplomatic ties for the first time since they both gained independence from France 60 years ago.
Hezbollah pointed the finger at Israel, saying Aridi's killing was aimed at destabilising its tiny neighbor.
"This serves the interests of Israel which is affected by ... reconciliation efforts and wants to prevent stability in the country," the group said in a statement.
Tuesday's talks, set to focus on the country's defence strategy and Hezbollah's weapons, come after Lebanon went through its worst political crisis since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war.
Sectarian clashes in May left at least 65 dead and brought the country close to fresh all-out conflict before feuding political parties struck an agreement in Doha.
The accord led to Sleiman's election as president and the formation of a national unity cabinet.
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