Assassinations in Lebanon Perpetrators remain unknown
103 assassinations have been committed since Lebanon’s Independence to date. They are summed up as follows:
Journalists
18 journalists have been killed since 1943 for taking sides with one country against another in the conflicts that broke out in the region, particularly between Syria and Iraq or Iraq and Iran. Others have been victimized for doctrinal reasons.
|
Name |
Occupation |
Location of the Assassination |
Date of the Assassination |
Investigation Findings |
|
Nassib al-Matni |
Publisher of the Telegraph newspaper |
Beirut |
May 27, 1958 |
Futile investigations |
|
Fouad Haddad |
Journalist for the Labor newspaper |
Beirut |
September 19, 1958 |
Futile investigations |
|
Kamel Mrouw |
Publisher of Al-Hayat newspaper |
Beirut |
May 16, 1966 |
Perpetrators were sentenced to prison |
|
Ghassan Kanafani |
Palestinian writer |
Beirut |
July 8, 1972 |
Accusations were pointed at Israel |
|
Edward Saab |
Journalist |
Beirut |
May 16, 1976 |
Futile investigations |
|
Karl Robert Never |
Correspondent for the German magazine Sterne |
Beirut |
May 24, 1979 |
Futile investigations |
|
Adel Abdel-Majid Wasfi |
Assistant Editor in Chief of the Falastin Al-Thawra magazine |
Beirut |
June 20, 1979 |
Futile investigations |
|
Salim al-Lawzi |
Publisher of the Hawadeth magazine |
Beirut |
March 4, 1980 |
Palestinian killer was sentenced to prison |
|
Riyad Taha |
Head of Lebanon’s press syndicate |
Beirut |
July 23, 1980 |
Verdict issued against members of the Moussawi family |
|
Yehia al-Hazouri |
Journalist for the Al-Liwaa newspaper and member of the Baath party |
Beirut |
August 29, 1980 |
Futile investigations |
|
Samir Assem al-Sheikh |
Editor in Chief of the Al-Fahrast newspaper |
Beirut |
July 9, 1985 |
Futile investigations |
|
Suheil Tawili |
Communist journalist |
Beirut |
February 24, 1986 |
Futile investigations |
|
Hassan Fakhr |
Journalist |
Baabda |
June 15, 1986 |
Futile investigations |
|
Hassan Bazzoun |
Editor in Chief of the Beirut Al-Masaa magazine |
Beirut |
February 22, 1987 |
Futile investigations |
|
Mahdi Amel (Hassan Hamdan) |
Communist journalist |
Beirut |
May 18, 1987 |
Futile investigations |
|
Hussein Mrouweh |
Leftist thinker and journalist |
Beirut |
August 17, 1987 |
Futile investigations |
|
Mostafa Jeha |
Journalist |
Sabtiyeh- Beirut |
January 15, 1992 |
Futile investigations |
|
Samir Qassir |
Journalist for An-Nahar newspaper |
Beirut |
June 2, 2005 |
Futile investigations |
Religious figures
A total of 17 religious figures have been assassinated since 1943 including Grand Mufti Sheikh Hassan Khaled and Sheikh Halim Taqiyeddine.
|
Name |
Location of the Assassination |
Date of the Assassination |
Investigation Findings |
|
Father Habib Khashfa |
Taibet (South Lebanon) |
1949 |
The perpetrator was sentenced to death |
|
Father Boulous Massaad |
Majdel Baana in Aley |
May 13, 1963 |
The killer was arrested |
|
Jesuit Father Elian Jervanion |
- |
February 14, 1976 |
Futile investigations |
|
Imam Hassan al-Shirazi |
Beirut |
May 5, 1980 |
Futile investigations |
|
Sayyed Ali Bader Eddine |
Harouf (South Lebanon) |
August 5, 1980 |
Futile investigations |
|
Sheikh Ahmad Assaf |
Beirut |
April 28, 1981 |
Futile investigations |
|
Father Philip Abu Sulaiman |
Aley |
April 30, 1982 |
Futile investigations |
|
Sheikh Halim Taqiyeddine |
Beirut |
December 1, 1983 |
Futile investigations |
|
Sheikh Ragheb Harb |
Jabcheet (Nabatiyeh) |
February 16, 1984 |
Accusations were pointed at Israeli agents |
|
Father Boutros Abi Aaql |
Sour (Tyre) |
May 23, 1985 |
Futile investigations |
|
Father Boulos al-Sahlani |
Bab Mareaa (Western Beqa’a) |
November 18, 1985 |
Futile investigations |
|
Sheikh Sobhi al-Saleh |
Beirut |
October 7, 1986 |
Futile investigations |
|
Jesuit Father Andre Mas |
Saida |
September 24, 1987 |
Futile investigations |
|
Father Albert Khreish |
Kessrouan |
April 1988 |
Futile investigations |
|
Lebanese Grand Sunni Mufti Hassan Khaled |
Beirut |
May 16, 1989 |
Futile investigations |
|
Father Semaan Boutrous al-Khoury |
A’ajaltoun |
May 11, 1992 |
Accusations were pointed at members of the Lebanese Forces |
|
Sheikh Nizar al-Halabi |
Beirut |
August 31, 1995 |
Members of the group Osbat Al-Ansar were arrested and sentenced to death. |
Politicians
Politicians have been the main target for assassinations with a total of 21 assassinated figures including one president of the republic, 3 prime ministers and a number of ministers and MPs.
|
Name |
Location of the Assassination |
Date of the Assassination |
Investigation Findings |
|
Former PM Riad Solh |
Jordan |
July 16, 1951 |
Assassinated by members of the SSNP |
|
Former minister Mahmoud al-Aboud |
Presidential Palace in Kantari |
1953 |
Assassinated by Ahmad sheikh who was reportedly instigated by MP Suleiman Ali |
|
MP Naim Moghabghab |
Beiteddine |
July 27, 1959 |
The verdict wasn’t put into practice. The perpetrators were believed to be allies of Kamal Jumblat |
|
Former MP Albert al-Hajj |
Akkar |
April 12, 1961 |
Futile investigations |
|
Former MP Maarouf Saad |
Saida |
February 22, 1975 |
A sergeant in the Lebanese Army was charged with the crime |
|
Governor of the North Fayez al-Imad |
- |
December 20, 1975 |
Futile investigations |
|
General Director of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Khalil Salem |
Beirut |
August 2, 1976 |
Futile investigations |
|
MP Kamal Jumblat |
Chouf |
March 16, 1977 |
Accusations were pointed at Syrian intelligence |
|
Former minister and MP Tony Frangieh |
Zgharta |
June 13, 1978 |
Accusations were pointed at the Lebanese Forces |
|
Former MP Bashir Kairouz |
- |
March 16, 1982 |
Futile investigations |
|
President Bashir Gemayel |
Ashrafieh |
September 14, 1982 |
Accusations were pointed at SSNP member Habib Shartouni |
|
PM Rashid Karami |
Aboard a helicopter transferring him from Tripoli to Beirut |
June 1, 1987 |
Accusations were pointed at Samir Geagea |
|
MP Nazem Qadri |
Beirut |
September 21, 1989 |
Futile investigations |
|
President René Mouawad |
Beirut |
November 22, 1989 |
Futile investigations |
|
Former minister and MP Elie Hobeika |
Hazmieh |
January 24, 2002 |
Futile investigations |
|
Former PM Rafik Hariri |
Beirut |
February 14, 2005 |
The STL indicted four members of Hezbollah |
|
Former minister and MP Bassel fleihan |
Beirut |
February 14, 2005 |
The STL indicted four members of Hezbollah |
|
MP Gebran Tueni |
Mkalles |
December 12, 2005 |
Futile investigations |
|
Minister and MP Pierre Gemayel |
Jdaideh |
November 21, 2006 |
Futile investigations |
|
MP Walid Eido |
Beirut |
June 13, 2007 |
Futile investigations |
|
MP Antoine Ghanem |
Sin el-Fil |
September 19, 2007 |
Futile investigations |
Other assassinations
Other assassination operations have occurred in Lebanon targeting 31 figures including party members and political activists as illustrated below:
|
Name |
Occupation |
Date of the Assassination |
Investigation Findings |
|
Munir Daou |
Qaemaqam |
1956 |
Futile investigations |
|
Abdallah Osseiran |
Son of former Speaker Adel Osseiran (Saida) |
December 22, 1972 |
A member of the Al-Zain family was charged with the crime |
|
Moussa Sh’eib |
Member of the Iraqi Baath Socialist Party leadership |
July 28, 1980 |
Futile investigations |
|
Hassib Abdallah |
Ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
April 28, 1978 |
Futile investigations |
|
O’smat Murad |
Official in the Islamic Unity Movement |
August 2, 1981 |
Futile investigations |
|
Hassan Sharri |
Member of the Amal Movement’s politburo |
October 20, 1981 |
Futile investigations |
|
Tahseen al-Atrash |
Member of the Qatari Baath Socialist Party leadership |
November 17, 1981 |
Futile investigations |
|
Khalil Hatoum |
Delegate of the Communist Party in the National Lebanese Movement |
April 23, 1982 |
Futile investigations |
|
Rafiq Bashasha |
Official in the Nasserite Popular Movement |
May 16, 1982 |
Futile investigations |
|
Ali Suleiman |
Consultant to the Ministry of Foreign affairs and Immigration |
January 11, 1983 |
Futile investigations |
|
Ghaith Khoury |
Head of Byblos District for the Phalanges Party |
February 15, 1984 |
Investigations reveled the perpetrators |
|
Sarkis Aznavorian |
Member of the Central Committee for the Tashnaq Party |
April 23, 1985 |
Futile investigations |
|
Muhammad Slim |
Defense official in the SSNP |
June 3, 1985 |
Futile investigations |
|
Khalil A’akkawi |
Official in the Islamic Gathering in Tripoli |
February 9, 1986 |
Futile investigations |
|
Khalil Na’oos |
Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party |
February 20, 1986 |
Futile investigations |
|
Zaven Tashjian |
Head of the Tashnaq Party in Anjar |
February 27, 1986 |
Futile investigations |
|
Mostafa Ali Kreidieh |
Media official for Jama’a Islamiya |
May 5, 1986 |
Futile investigations |
|
Nassib al-Khatib |
Head of the Arab Democratic Party |
May 6, 1986 |
Futile investigations |
|
Adnan Qansoh |
Official in the SSNP |
February 26, 1987 |
Futile investigations |
|
Habib Kairouz |
Communication and Media Officer for the SSNP |
October 22, 1987 |
Futile investigations |
|
Tawfiq al-Safadi |
SSNP Labor and Social Affairs Official |
October 23, 1987 |
Futile investigations |
|
Muhammad Shuqeir |
Consultant to President Amin Gemayel |
1987 |
Investigations indicted members of the SSNP |
|
Daoud Daoud, Mahmoud Fakih and Hassan Sbeiti |
Amal Movement officials |
September 22, 1988 |
Futile investigations |
|
Elias Al-Zayek |
Member of the Lebanese Forces Command Council |
January 16, 1990 |
Samir Geagea was charged with the crime |
|
Dany Chamoun |
Head of the National Liberal Party (Baabda) |
October 21, 1990 |
Samir Geagea was charged with the crime |
|
Sayyed Abbas Moussawi |
Secretary General of Hezbollah |
February 16, 1992 |
Killed during an Israeli aerial operation |
|
Fouad Moghniyeh |
Member of Hezbollah |
1994 |
Ahmad Al-Hallak was sentenced to death |
|
George Hawi |
Former Secretary General of the Lebanese Communist Party |
June 21, 2005 |
Futile investigations |
|
Imad Mughniyeh |
Hezbollah Leader |
February 12, 2008 |
Accusations were pointed at Israel |
Military officers
Four members of the military fell also victim to assassination.
|
Name |
Location of the Assassination |
Date of the Assassination |
Investigation Findings |
|
Major General Khalil Kenaan |
Baabda |
September 28, 1986 |
Accusations were pointed at members of the Lebanese forces |
|
Major General Francois al-Haj |
Baabda |
December 12, 2007 |
Futile investigations |
|
Major Wissam Eid |
Hazmieh |
January 25, 2008 |
Futile investigations |
|
Brigadier General Wissam Hassan |
Ashrafieh |
October 19, 2012 |
Futile investigations |
Arab and foreign diplomats
The list of the Arab and foreign diplomats assassinated in Lebanon includes 12 diplomatic figures including:
|
Name |
Location of the Assassination |
Date of the Assassination |
Investigation Findings |
|
Syrian Colonel Ghassan Jdeed |
Beirut |
February 19, 1957 |
Assassinated by the Palestinian Ahmad Sha’at upon instructions of Abdul Hamid Siraj |
|
PLO members (Abou Youssef Najjar, Kamal Nasser, Kamal Edwan) |
Beirut |
September 11, 1973 |
Assassinated by Israeli commandos |
|
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Francis Meloy and the economic attaché |
Beirut |
June 16, 1976 |
Accusations were pointed at Palestinian organizations |
|
Fateh Movement member Ali Hassan Salameh |
Beirut |
January 22, 1979 |
Assassinated by Israeli commandos |
|
French Ambassador Louie De Lamare |
Beirut |
September 4, 1981 |
Accusations were pointed at pro-Syrian organizations |
|
Commissar Minister in the Algerian Embassy Rabeh Khrwaa |
Beirut |
January 13, 1983 |
Assassination instigated by his wife for personal reasons |
|
President of the American University of Beirut, Dr. Malcom Kerr |
Beirut |
January 18, 1984 |
Futile investigations |
|
American diplomat William Buckley |
Beirut |
October 11, 1985 |
No clues were found despite the accusation of the Islamic Jihad Organization |
|
Premier Secretary in the Jordanian Embassy Naeb Omran al-Ma’aytah |
Beirut |
December 29, 1993 |
Accusations were pointed at Palestinians affiliated with the Fatah Revolutionary council |
Attempted Assassinations
In addition to the assassinations mentioned earlier, Lebanon has witnessed 94 attempted assassinations that targeted presidents, ministers, MPs, politicians, journalists, diplomats and clerics.
Although the identity of the executors and instigators of these assassination plots wasn’t difficult to predict in most cases, the investigations failed to gather any clues to bring those to justice and they remained unknown. With each new assassination, the Lebanese cling to the hope that the serial killing will come to an end but acts of violence continue to erupt dashing their hope and transforming Lebanon into a proxy battlefield where politicians and innocent people pay the price.
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