Funeral of assassinated Lebanese warlord

 

Family and friends of notorious Lebanese Christian militia leader, Elie Hobeika, have paid their last respects, two days after he was killed in a car bomb explosion. It is a blast that many in Lebanon have blamed on Israel though the Jewish state denies any involvement. Twenty years ago, Hobeika's pro-Israel militia massacred hundreds of Palestinians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, then his country's defence minister, faces a war crimes lawsuit in Belgium concerning his alleged role in the atrocity. And it is Hobeika's apparent willingness to testify against Mr Sharon that hasprompted claims of Israeli involvement in Thursday's assassination.