Channel 1 says Mustafa Badr Aldin is main suspect in 2005 assassination of former Lebanese PM; Assad, Saudi King Abdullah due in Beirut Friday to discuss ways to maintain stability in country

Ynet Published: 07.29.10, 23:16


Mustafa Badr Aldin, the brother in-law of assassinated Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh, is the prime suspect in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, Channel 1 reported Thursday.




According to the report, Aldin, also known as "Elias Sa'ab", commanded the failed attempt to assassinate Kuwait's ruler in 1985. It was further reported that current Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Rafik's son, is pressuring the Special Tribunal for Lebanon not to publish the suspect's identity due to his government's ties with Hezbollah.



Aldin was mentioned as a candidate to replace Mughniyeh as Hezbollah's chief operations officer.



A few days ago Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah berated the UN tribunal probing the Hariri murder amid reports that it would indict members of the Shiite group.




Syrian President Bashar Assad and Saudi King Abdullah are expected to travel to Beirut on Friday. According to Arab media, the two will meet with PM Hariri to discuss ways to maintain stability in Lebanon and ease tensions surrounding the possible indictment of Hezbollah members.



Hariri was assassinated on February 15, 2005 when explosives equivalent to approximately 1000 kilograms of TNT were detonated as his motorcade drove past the St. George Hotel in Beirut.