alex kay potter

After the Funeral

The last time Lebanon had a major conflict was 2008.

So when the car bomb exploded in the Christian Achrefiye neighborhood, killing four and wounding over one hundred, tensions ran high. As the details of the attack emerged, emotions ran even higher. Targeted and killed in the blast was Wissam al Hassan, Brigadier General of the Internal Security Forces, and known to be strongly against the regime in Syria.

Many accusations were made, but none officially accused or tried.

Thousands attended al Hassan's funeral in downtown Beirut. After a number of speeches about unified Lebanon, an emotional spark was lit, and protesters yelled to storm the Serail, headquarters of then-Prime Minister Najib Mikati, demanding his resignation.
Though the protests ended the same day, some considered the conflict spillover from Syria, and blowback continued throughout the country for months.

A living room in the Ashrafiyeh neighborhood of Beirut following a car bomb on 19 October, 2012. The bomb killed seven people including Brig. Gen. Wissam Al Hassan, a prominent security member in Lebanon.
A living room in the Ashrafiyeh neighborhood of Beirut following a car bomb on 19 October, 2012. The bomb killed seven people including Brig. Gen. Wissam Al Hassan, a prominent security member in Lebanon.
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A view of now open-air balconies in the Ashrafiyeh neighborhood of Beirut following a car bomb on 19 October, 2012. The bombing killed seven people but also destroyed home and storefronts for blocks around.
A view of now open-air balconies in the Ashrafiyeh neighborhood of Beirut following a car bomb on 19 October, 2012. The bombing killed seven people but also destroyed home and storefronts for blocks around.
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Lebanese people held a candlelight vigil after the bombing in nearby Sassine Square in Beirut, 19 October, 2012.
Lebanese people held a candlelight vigil after the bombing in nearby Sassine Square in Beirut, 19 October, 2012.
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The public funeral for Wissam al Hassan and his bodyguard was held in downtown on Sunday, 21 October. Lebanese came from all over the country in solidarity, and thousands of people filled the area of downtown called Martys Square, near the grave of Rafic
The public funeral for Wissam al Hassan and his bodyguard was held in downtown on Sunday, 21 October. Lebanese came from all over the country in solidarity, and thousands of people filled the area of downtown called Martys Square, near the grave of Rafic
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The public funeral for Wissam al Hassan and his bodyguard was held in downtown on Sunday, 21 October, 2012. Lebanese came from all over the country in solidarity, and thousands of people filled the area of downtown called Martys Square, near the grave of
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Lebanese people protest in downtown Beirut following the funeral of Wissam al Hassan on 21 October, 2012. Images of Rafic Hariri and Hassan Nasrallah appear on signs in the background. Some suspected the bomb was placed by those pro-Syrian regime.
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Lebanese security officials speak together during the funeral of Wissam al Hassan on 21 October, 2012.
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A young man tries to reason with the security forces during the protest in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 21, 2012.
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A stick flies toward a policeman in downtown Beirut during a protest following the funeral of Wissam al Hassan, 21 October, 2012. Some wanted the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to resign. He put in his letter of resignation, but President Michel Sul
A stick flies toward a policeman in downtown Beirut during a protest following the funeral of Wissam al Hassan, 21 October, 2012. Some wanted the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to resign. He put in his letter of resignation, but President Michel Sul
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Protesters attempted to pull back the barbed wire surrounding the Grand Serail political building in Beirut, Lebanon, 21 October, 2012.
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Protesters attempted to pull back the barbed wire surrounding the Grand Serail political building, but it was well guarded, 21 October, 2012.
Protesters attempted to pull back the barbed wire surrounding the Grand Serail political building, but it was well guarded, 21 October, 2012.
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A young man is doused in water after passing out from tear gas in Beirut, Lebanon on 21 October, 2012.
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Young men throw back tear gas canisters thrown by security forces in Beirut, Lebanon, on 21 October, 2012
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Young men throw back tear gas canisters thrown by security forces in Beirut, Lebanon, on 21 October, 2012
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A young man kneels on a side street to catch his breath from the tear gas in Beirut, Lebanon, on 21 October, 2012. .
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Young men throw back tear gas canisters thrown by security forces in Beirut, Lebanon, on 21 October, 2012
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A young man wipes his eyes to clear them of effects from the tear gas in Beirut, Lebanon, on 21 October, 2012.
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A woman is carried to safety after being shot with a flying projectile during the protest in Beirut, Lebanon on 21 October, 2012.
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A young man tries to reason with the security forces during the protest in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 21, 2012.

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During a break in the fighting, protesters talk on their cell phones, Beirut, Lebanon, 21 October, 2012

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Young men raise the Syrian and Lebanese flags while sitting atop a traffic light during the protest in Beirut, Lebanon, 21 October, 2012.

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Protesters threatened to camp in front of the Grand Serail until the Prime Minister resigned. Eventually they dispersed after hours of talks between the public and members of Parliament. 21 October, 2012.
Protesters threatened to camp in front of the Grand Serail until the Prime Minister resigned. Eventually they dispersed after hours of talks between the public and members of Parliament. 21 October, 2012.
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