The Washington Post is reporting the crowd at the funeral turned protest of murdered Lebanese government minister Pierre Gemayel. These people are extremely angry.
The coffin of Pierre Gemayel, wrapped in the flag of his Phalange Party — white with a green cedar emblem — was brought from his hometown and carried through applauding throngs in downtown Beirut to the St. George's Cathedral, where the packed congregation sang hymns.
Police estimated some 800,000 participated in the rally and funeral.
In a rare move, the head of the Maronite Church, Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, left his mountain headquarters to lead the funeral service. Family members and dignitaries, including France's foreign minister and the Arab League secretary general, were participating.
The country's top Shiite politician, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a top ally of Syrian-backed Hezbollah, also attended in an attempt to show national unity.
But in the wake of Gemayel's slaying, Lebanon is polarized to a degree not seen since the 1975-1990 civil war. Many fear Thursday's funeral could be the first round of demonstrations that could bring the power struggle between the U.S.-backed government and Syria's allies, led by Hezbollah, into the volatile streets.
It is possible that Syria and Hezbollah overplayed their hand this time. They could be looking at a backlash. Given that the leaders of Hezbollah showed a complete lack of understanding of what the response of Israel would be earlier this year, it is doubtful they really thought the fallout from this assassination out properly, either.
UPDATE: Quilly Mammoth over at Just Barking Mad put on the full hazmat gear and waded in to the website of that bastion of the left, Juan Cole. Unsurprisingly, everything in the whole world is Bush's fault. But Juan hit the full trifecta this time.
1. It’s all Bush’s fault.
2. Invoked the socialist Third Wave concept of “The tyranny of the Majority”
3. Alluded to the Nazi in context with George W. Bush.
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Are assassinations terrible or OK, even necessary? Lets be sure and have the same standards for all of them over there.
I just put on the waders and gas mask and ventured over to The Moonbat Caverns deep in the heart of the Fever Swamps and by far the most unhinged take on this affair is that of Jaun Cole. Believe it or not…it’s All Bush’s Fault ™.
Sheesh. The world is coming apart and a good measure of the reason why is the(charitably) unmeant support of the Lunatic Left.
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Blue Crab Boulevard sums up the sentiment of Middle East observers:
Almost everyone with an active cerebral cortex, except for the ultra-rad left whack-jobs noted by Across the Bay, agree that, once again, the Syrians and their allies have a lot to answer for.