Just in time for Yom Kippur..., it appears Mr. Assad has found himself a scapegoat.
Syria’s interior minister, who ran Lebanon as security chief until 2003, committed suicide Wednesday, Syria’s official news agency reported.
Kenaan, a general by rank, was the top Syrian official in Lebanon for two decades, starting in the 1980s and up until 2003. In that capacity he controlled Syrian intelligence forces active in Lebanon.
During that time, he was characterized as “the strongest man in Lebanon†and “the country’s real ruler.†Several years ago he was promoted to the post of interior minister as a reward for his service. Under the new position he gained control of Syria’s internal security apparatuses.
Kenaan is also considered to be behind the initiation of Syria-Hizbullah cooperation, particularly in matters related to the transfer of weapons.
His death was reported days before the expected release of a U.N. report into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
