NEWS-黎巴嫩哀悼前总理拉菲克·哈里里

Lebanon Mourns Former PM Rafik Hariri

 

An estimated 200,000 mourners jammed central Beirut Wednesday to pay last respects to Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

 

Mr. Hariri died when a suicide bomber¹ set off an explosion in his motorcade Monday. At least 14 others were also killed and a hundred more wounded.

 

Lebanese blame the bombing on the former prime minister's political opponents, including the country's ruling party, which has close ties with Syria. Lebanese and Syrian officials have denied any link, but Tuesday the United States recalled its Ambassador to Syria.

 

While U.S. officials say they are not directly blaming Syria for the killing², they are saying the bombing calls into question the heavy presence of Syrian troops in Lebanon. The American government is demanding that Syria abide³ by U.N. resolutions and allow the Lebanese to run their own affairs.

 

Scott McClellan (White House spokesman): We continue to be concerned about the foreign occupation in Lebanon, We have expressed those concerns. Syria has had a military presence there for some time now. That is a concern of ours.

 

Mr. Hariri was a self-made billionaire, having made his fortune in construction principally in Saudi Arabia. While he was prime minister, he led the rebuilding of Lebanon after years of civil war. His fortune, estimated at $4 billion, allowed him to maintain his independence without defying Syria, which has about 15,000 troops in Lebanon and strong influence over many of Lebanon's key political decisions.

 

After having been prime minister for 10 years, Mr. Hariri resigned his post last year after a power struggle with pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud.

1 bomber   

n.轰炸机，投弹手，投掷炸弹者

参考例句：

• He flew a bomber during the war.他在战时驾驶轰炸机。
• Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.追查伦敦爆炸案凶犯的侦探们急于对他进行讯问。

2 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

3 abide   

vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受

参考例句：

• You must abide by the results of your mistakes.你必须承担你的错误所造成的后果。
• If you join the club,you have to abide by its rules.如果你参加俱乐部，你就得遵守它的规章。