Assassination Creates More Uncertainty in Mideast

Feb. 14, 2005 — -- The White House did not directly blame Syria for the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, but made clear that Hariri was likely killed because of his efforts to force Syria out of Lebanon.

Hariri died today when a massive explosion tore through his motorcade in Beirut. At least nine other people were killed and about 100 others were wounded.

"We continue to be concerned about the foreign occupation in Lebanon," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said today in Washington. "We've expressed those concerns. Syria has maintained a military presence there for some time now, and that is a concern of ours."

In September 2004, the United States and France introduced a U.N. security resolution calling for Syria to withdraw its 15,000 troops from Lebanon. Hariri, a billionaire businessman who helped rebuild Lebanon after its civil war, had resigned as prime minister in October after falling out with Syria, the main power broker in Lebanon.

"What happened today was highly significant," said ABC News analyst Fawaz Gerges, professor of Middle Eastern studies at Sarah Lawrence College. "Pro-Syrian forces in Lebanon never trusted Hariri. They believed that Hariri had connections to French and American politicians and was America's man in Lebanon."

Syria's President Bashar Assad denied any Syrian involvement, calling the assassination a "horrendous criminal act."

Despite Syria's condemnation of the assassination, many U.S. and Lebanese officials suspect Syria had some involvement. The bombing was a highly sophisticated attack, and those who oppose Syria's presence in Lebanon have been targeted in the past.

"As we know, perceptions are as important as reality in the eyes of many Lebanese," said Gerges. "The killing of Hariri was designed to intimidate domestic opposition -- that anyone who challenges Syria's position in Lebanon is basically a fair target."

The White House said today it will consult with other governments to make certain those responsible for the terrorist attack are punished, but first they would have to prove who did it.

The Pentagon had already been complaining about Syria's alleged involvement in insurgent attacks in Iraq, but little has been done to stop them.

ABC News' Martha Raddatz filed this report for "World News Tonight."