Who killed Hariri? The airbase conpiracy

I just came across one conspiracy theory about Hariri's murder I'd never heard about before: it was done by the US (and possibly Israel) to remove Hariri and his opposition to building a massive airbase in Northern Lebanon:

Hariri, a pan-Arabist and Lebanese nationalist, was known to adamantly oppose the construction of a major U.S. air base in the north of Lebanon. The United States wants Syrian troops completely out of Lebanon before construction of the base is initiated. Hariri's meetings with Hezbollah shortly before his death also angered Washington and Jerusalem, according to the Lebanese intelligence sources.

It sounds rather ridiculous considering that Lahoud and the other pro-Syria politicians would be just as against such an airbase. Why not kill them too? Also, I've never heard of plans for an airbase in Lebanon, especially with the Incirlik base in Turkey is quite close.

Part of the problem with this "who benefits" analysis is that, as in any crime case, you can't just rely on motive. Opportunity and capability also have to come into it.

Comments

[John Penta]

Um, it's Indymedia. What do you expect?

More seriously, an airbase in Lebanon makes no sense.

First, you have Incirlik. The Turkish General Staff would never countenance throwing the US military out.

Second, you have Ramat David and other bases in Israel. Politically risky, but still.

Third, you have Jordan's airbases, which would likely be available covertly.

Fourth, you have Iraq.

What advantages would Lebanon ever offer anybody?

Sure, the food's probably better in Beirut than in Tikrit or Mosul, but I never heard of that as a reason to build an airbase.:-)