Overview

"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 Ten weeks later, Syrian troops had withdrawn from Lebanon after an occupation of nearly thirty years.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 drama: 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."

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9781845112028

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Reviews

Beirut-based journalist Blandford thrillingly describes events leading up to the explosion [a car bomb detonated outside Beirut's St George Hotel on Valentine's Day 2005] and its aftermath, skilfully works through a complex murder investigation, and contextualises both the country's impossible relationship with neighbour and former overlord Syria, and the 2006 confrontation between Israel and Lebanon-based troublemakers, Hezbollah. * Strong Words *

'This is not only a real life thriller but a story with huge implications for the future of the region. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in Lebanon, Blanford is the man to tell it.' -Richard Beeston, Diplomatic Editor, The Times 'A rich piece of storytelling - Blanford provides the definitive account of the assassination of Hariri and Lebanon's subsequent Cedar Revolution ...Brilliant stuff.' -Scott McLeod, Middle East correspondent, Time magazine. 'If you are going to read one book on Lebanon, this is the one. It is as gripping as a thriller, yet packed with sober insight. Blanford plumbs Lebanon's relations with both Saudi Arabia and Syria, following the money and charting the tug of war between the regional powers. We come to understand why Hariri was murdered just as he led his country across the threshold of independence. ' reading for anyone interested in today's Middle East.' -Joshua Landis, author of SyriaComment.com and Assistant Professor of Middle East Studies, University of Oklahoma GUARDIAN 'Nicholas Blanford has lived in Beirut for more than a decade, working for the Christian Science Monitor and the Times. He is widely recognised as the best informed outside expert on Lebanese politics, and his account of Hariri's life and death is stimulating but measured.' - Jonathan Steele FINANCIAL TIMES 'How the 2005 death of a former prime minister sparked a popular uprising, forced Syria to end its 30-year occupation of Lebanon, and upset power balances throughout the region.' THE DAILY STAR 'Blanford is an old hand in Lebanon, with a microscopic knowledge of Hizbullah's war with Israel. The book reads like a great yarn whose esoteric bits get explained along the way'TLSKilling Mr Lebanon is a fascinating book full of suspense. Trevor MostynNEW YORK REVIEW OF BOOKS'A brisk portrait of the man's travails and legacy.'- Max Roedenbeck

Author Information

Nicholas Blanford has been a Beirut correspondent for over 10 years. In 1996 he began writing for The Times and The Lebanon Daily Star, breaking several major stories about Israel's occupation of South Lebanon. An expert on Hizbullah's military activities, he has spoken at international conferences on the subject, and written about it for the Jane's Information Group. Since 2001 he has written for The Christian Science Monitor and Time magazine. He reported from Iraq for the Christian Science Monitor from 2003-2004. He lives with his wife and two children in Beirut.

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