Middle East Politics.Net » prime minister http://middleeastpolitics.net Facts, News, Trends, Analysis Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:56:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 More on Killing of Former Lebanese Prime Minister http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/03/new-evidence-discovered-in-the-killing-of-former-lebanese-prime-minister/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/03/new-evidence-discovered-in-the-killing-of-former-lebanese-prime-minister/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:29:09 +0000 Samantha Foley http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3401 The United Nations body that was investigating the death of former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri came upon some new evidence in the case. Hariri and 22 others were killed by a suicide bomber in Beirut in 2005. This assassination took Lebanon by surprise as Hariri was a well-known political figure in the nation. The UN’s International Independent Investigation Commission came across new evidence that suggested there may be a connection between Hariri’s assassination and other acts of political violence in Lebanon.

Syria was initially implicated in the death of the leader, but they have denied such accusations. Syria has provided “generally satisfactory” cooperation with the UN’s investigation thus far. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said that a special tribunal to try this case would begin in March of 2009. The motive for the killing was likely Hariri’s opinions about Syria. He was very critical of Syria and supported the 2004 UN resolution that called for Syria’s withdrawal from Lebanon. Hariri’s death did bring about anti-Syrian demonstrations and sentiments.

Samantha Foley

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/03/new-evidence-discovered-in-the-killing-of-former-lebanese-prime-minister/feed/ 0 Iraq’s New “Strongman” Gaining Too Much Strength? http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/09/07/iraqs-new-strongman-gaining-too-much-strength/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/09/07/iraqs-new-strongman-gaining-too-much-strength/#comments Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:44:07 +0000 hackenda http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=107 British news source The Guardian released a piece yesterday on the man at the forefront of Iraqi politics, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. He has begun to assert himself more in the political arena since the beginning of the US military surge in Iraq, and questions are arising as to whether Washington will soon step in and lay down the law to curb his behavior.

The US has set a precedent of developing strong ties with and closely monitoring the activities of the political figureheads put into place in Iraq. It has effectively influenced Iraq’s leadership in doing so. The previous prime minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, was eventually viewed as too independent by the US government and removed from his position.

Although al-Maliki faced challenges of a divided and unstable government when he entered office, and regardless of the fact that he is only really able to govern successfully the Green Zone, which is protected by the US, some officials believe he is becoming power hungry. This could be due in part to rising oil prices and increasing stability in some crucial regions of Iraq, both of which could lead to an inflated sense of success. The US response to his growing confidence will be something to monitor in the coming weeks.

Haley Hackendale

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