Killing Mr. Lebanon: The Assassination of Rafik Hariri and its Impact on the Middle East

by Nicholas Blanford

On Valentine's Day 2005, former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri, nicknamed 'Mr Lebanon' for his local power and patronage, was killed by a massive explosion as he drove along the Beirut seafront. Ten weeks later, Syrian troops had withdrawn from Lebanon after an occupation of nearly thirty years. In this compelling book, Nicholas Blanford looks at how the murder of a businessman provoked such a seismic shift in Middle Eastern politics. He examines Hariri's past, inextricably linked with that of Lebanon, and uncovers a murky world of shifting alliances between businesses, security services, politicians and diplomats. Based on exclusive interviews with the key players in the Syrian, Lebanese and international arenas, Blanford traces the last weeks of Hariri's life, and reveals who and what stood to gain from his death. Gaining access to material never before made public, Blanford shows how right up until the morning of his assassination, Hariri was building up a unique political movement which would have upset the balance of power in Middle Eastern politics.
Larger than life figures emerge in this Shakespearean political the wily Druze leader, Walid Jumblatt, the much-feared head of Syrian military intelligence in Lebanon, Rustom Ghazaleh and the young Syrian leader eager to stamp his authority, Bashar al-Assad. With Lebanon reeling from the explosion of regional tensions in the summer of 2006, Blanford traces the impact of the Hariri assassination on Hizbullah, Syria and Israel. Full of intrigue, shady characters and suspense, "Killing Mr Lebanon" is the definitive account of how Beirut became once again the flashpoint of the Middle East.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle East, History, Lebanon, Politics

236 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Elie Daou · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting view on the events leading up and shortly after the former Prime Minister's assassination. Although many biases are apparent, the book does not present itself as a factual story but a series of retellings gathered by the author mostly through interviews with people who were involved in the matter.

[Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book illustrates the life of Shaikh Rafik Hariri “Mr. Lebanon” and the political atmosphere surrounding Mr. Hariri’s era.

It analysis the international and local tensions that contributed to taking the decision of the assassination and its consequences. It is a historical source for the period of 1990 to 2006 in Lebanese and Middle-Eastern politics. It introduces personals and key players of that era.

It sheds light on Syrian regime and their style of governance.

The author is fair and objective in my opinion and did an excellent job in collecting information from Mr. Hariri’s family and top Lebanese and international leaders.

One of very few writings on this subject, this book could be substantially improved with little extra indexing and organizing.

[Mohammed Saad · Rating 3 out of 5]

يبدأ الكتاب بطريقة فلاش باك حيث يوم جريمة قتل الحريرى ف 14 شباط 2005 ،ثم يبدأ الكتاب سرد قصة التدخل العسكرى السورى فى لبنان بعد شهور من اندلاع الحرب الاهلية بحجة مساعدة الحكومة للبنانية فى وقفها..فى نفس الوقت الذى كان الحريرى -ذو الأصول الفقيرة لأب مزارع من صيدا - بدأ يتلمس طريقه إلى الثراءوالمكانة فى السعودية عن طريق رجل اعمال سعودى وثق صلته على اثرها بالأسرة المالكة وسرعان ما اصبح فى غضون سنوات ملياردير وحامل للجنسية السعودية ثم ممثل للملك السعودى فى مفاوضات الصلح بين اطراف الحرب الاهلية وقدم الدعم اللوجستى فى المؤتمرات خاصة فى اتفاق الطائف..ومع اخلاصه لبلده ودعمه الاقتصادى غير المحدود وعلاقاته الدولية القوية وما حققه من نجاحات فى اتفاقيات الصلح..حقق شعبية كبيرة مكنته من تولى رئاسة الوزراء 92-98 ثم 2000-2004 حقق نجاحا فى الأولى واخفاقات فى الثانية انتهت باستقالته فى خلاف مع الرئيس لحود المدعوم من الظام السورى وهجوم الموالون لسوريا عليه.. وبالرغم من محاولاته المستمرة لتوثيق صلته بسوريا كان الرفض والاحتقار والعجرفة فى الحوار معه من الجانب الآخر باعتبارهم هم الحاكمون فى لبنان..وسبب ازداياد معارضه يوم بعد يوم وخوفا من مكانته اغتالته يد النظام السورى بالتعاون مع الموالون له فى لبنان فى عملية شديدة الاحترافية كما رأى غالبية اللبنانيين ..قامت على أثرها انتفاضة الاستقلال أو ثورة الأرز كما اطلق الادارة الامريكية عليها.. أنتهت بها الوجود العسكرى السورى فى لبنان فى أبريل من نفس العام.

معلومة على الهامش: تحالف 14 آذار سبب تسميته يرجع لأحد ايام انتفاضة الاستقلال وهذا اليوم كان ذروة الانتفاضة حيث وصل عدد المتظاهرين المليون متظاهر

[Raja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very compelling history of the Hariri period recounted by the author''s journalistic experiences and work in Lebanon as well as the personal accounts of Rafic Hariri's friends, acquaintances, political allies and enemies, both foreign and domestic, that served to enrich the topic and the entire reading experience. More importantly, the book sheds light on the causes of the assasination and the possible perpetrators in a way no other book or article on the subject has done. Highly recommended!

[Mado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't agree with the author's perception about the situation and various events he writes about, but regardless this was very well-written and accessible to those who have studied the region and those who haven't. If there was one book I'd recommend to those who want to understand Lebanon in the most concise way, it'd be this one. Though it's primarily about the former PM Hariri, the author artfully ties in how Hariri's political career and legacy have impacted the entire region up until today.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a LOT from this book and am so grateful for the knowledge. The middle section of the book picked up interest, but I struggled to make it through the beginning and end.

[Lis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for gleaning general and Hariri-based historical background but not unbiased.

[Gamal soliman · Rating 2 out of 5]

تحدث الكاتب عن نشئه الحريرى مرورا بطريق الثراء وحتى تولى رئاسة وزراء لبنان وصراعه مع حافظ الاسد وابنه فيما بعد إلى أن اغتيل

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written with a journalist's eye, this book looks at the assassination of the Lebanese Prime Minister in 2005. The book is well-written, and provides a good introduction, but it is more of a biography of Hariri, and while it provides some analysis of his impact on Lebanese politics; this part of the book is not very detailed.

[Bird · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last seven words of the title should be excised. He does a great job describing the assassination and the political realities in Lebanon, but doesn't go anywhere with it.

[Karim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read!!