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Lebanon mourns slain army chief Lebanon mourns slain army chief
(about 5 hours later)
Funeral ceremonies for Gen Francois al-Hajj, the army's head of operations who was assassinated on Wednesday, have begun in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Funeral ceremonies have taken place in Lebanon for Gen Francois al-Hajj, the army's head of operations who was assassinated on Wednesday.
An honour guard accompanied Gen Hajj's casket as it arrived at his home in a Beirut suburb, as people lined the streets and schools and shops closed. Politicians from both sides of the political divide attended the service, and an honour guard played sombre music as people lined the streets in tribute.
Gen Hajj was the latest in a series of Lebanese public figures to be murdered, but the first from the military.Gen Hajj was the latest in a series of Lebanese public figures to be murdered, but the first from the military.
Three men are being questioned about the killing.Three men are being questioned about the killing.
Earlier, US President George W Bush warned Syria against interfering in Lebanon, but he did not accuse it of involvement in the general's murder.Earlier, US President George W Bush warned Syria against interfering in Lebanon, but he did not accuse it of involvement in the general's murder.
Mr Bush said Gen Hajj was "a supporter of Lebanon's independence and an opponent of Syria's interference in Lebanon's internal affairs". Military personnel were out in force for their commander's funeralMr Bush said Gen Hajj was "a supporter of Lebanon's independence and an opponent of Syria's interference in Lebanon's internal affairs".
"As Lebanon seeks to select a president democratically and in accordance with its constitution, interference by the Syrian regime and its allies, aimed at intimidating the Lebanese people, must end," he said."As Lebanon seeks to select a president democratically and in accordance with its constitution, interference by the Syrian regime and its allies, aimed at intimidating the Lebanese people, must end," he said.
Critics have blamed Syria for a number of high-profile political assassinations in Lebanon in the past two years. Damascus has denied involvement.Critics have blamed Syria for a number of high-profile political assassinations in Lebanon in the past two years. Damascus has denied involvement.
Day of mourningDay of mourning
Lebanon is observing a day of national mourning, amid the continuing political crisis in which the crippled parliament has failed to elect a president and the opposition has refused to recognise the government for more than a year.Lebanon is observing a day of national mourning, amid the continuing political crisis in which the crippled parliament has failed to elect a president and the opposition has refused to recognise the government for more than a year.
LEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS Feb 2005: Ex-PM Rafik HaririApril 2005: MP Bassel FleihanJune 2005: Anti-Syria journalist Samir KassirJune 2005: Ex-Communist leader George HawiDec 2005: Anti-Syria MP Gebran TueniNov 2006: Industry Minister Pierre GemayelJune 2007: Anti-Syria MP Walid EidoSep 2007: Anti-Syria MP Antoine GhanimDec 2007: Army Gen Francois al-Hajj In pictures: Beirut blastBombing deepens anxietiesMedia split on killingLEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS Feb 2005: Ex-PM Rafik HaririApril 2005: MP Bassel FleihanJune 2005: Anti-Syria journalist Samir KassirJune 2005: Ex-Communist leader George HawiDec 2005: Anti-Syria MP Gebran TueniNov 2006: Industry Minister Pierre GemayelJune 2007: Anti-Syria MP Walid EidoSep 2007: Anti-Syria MP Antoine GhanimDec 2007: Army Gen Francois al-Hajj In pictures: Beirut blastBombing deepens anxietiesMedia split on killing
Gen Hajj's coffin was taken from the mortuary to his family home in Beirut's eastern suburb of Baabda early on Friday.Gen Hajj's coffin was taken from the mortuary to his family home in Beirut's eastern suburb of Baabda early on Friday.
Local residents clapped and threw rose petals as the coffin was carried by soldiers. His body was then moved to a Maronite cathedral for an official funeral Mass. Hundreds of local residents clapped and threw rose petals as the coffin was carried by soldiers. His body was then moved to a Maronite cathedral for an official funeral Mass.
He was to be buried later in southern Lebanon in his family's home village. Army chief Gen Michel Suleiman - seen as the most likely candidate for the vacant presidency - saluted before the coffin.
Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir led the service, which was also attended by politicians and foreign ambassadors.
A message from Pope Benedict XVI was read out, in which he deplored the "unjustified violence" and called on Lebanese politicians to reconcile.
Gen Hajj's body was then taken to southern Lebanon for burial in his family's home village.
Postponed vote
Gen Hajj was chief of operations when Lebanon's army fought Islamic militants from Fatah al-Islam in Nahr al-Bared refugee camp earlier this year.Gen Hajj was chief of operations when Lebanon's army fought Islamic militants from Fatah al-Islam in Nahr al-Bared refugee camp earlier this year.
But correspondents say it is questionable whether the militants would have the means to carry out such a precisely targeted attack. Gen Hajj had been tipped to become head of the armyBut correspondents say it is questionable whether the militants would have the means to carry out such a precisely targeted attack.
They say the attack could further destabilise Lebanon, which is embroiled in its worst political crisis since its long civil war ended in 1990.They say the attack could further destabilise Lebanon, which is embroiled in its worst political crisis since its long civil war ended in 1990.
While the pro-West governing bloc and pro-Syrian opposition, led by Hezbollah, agree Gen Michel Suleiman should succeed former President Emile Lahoud to break a political impasse, the factions cannot agree on the formation of a new government. While the pro-West governing bloc and pro-Syrian opposition, led by Hezbollah, agree Gen Suleiman should succeed former President Emile Lahoud to break a political impasse, the factions cannot agree on the formation of a new government.
Mr Lahoud left office on 24 November, and on Monday lawmakers postponed the presidential vote for an eighth time.Mr Lahoud left office on 24 November, and on Monday lawmakers postponed the presidential vote for an eighth time.