Rustum Ghazali
Encyclopedia
Rustum Ghazali is a Syria
n politician and military officer.
Born in 1953.Ghazali was appointed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
in 2002 to succeed Gen. Ghazi Kanaan
as head of Syrian military intelligence in Lebanon
. He frequently traveled to the Bekaa valley where he had a residence and his headquarters in Anjar, and has been accused of involvement in the Bekaa drug trade and other smuggling ventures.
In early 2005, the killing of Rafiq al-Hariri led to intense pressure on Syria. Ghazali's and Kanaan's foreign assets were frozen by the United States
for their role in the alleged occupation of Lebanon and other suspected irregularities. Syria eventually withdrew its 15,000 man strong army
. Ghazali relocated to Syria. However, some Lebanese and foreign observers allege that Syria keeps interfering with Lebanese politics through parts of its intelligence apparatus left behind in the country; Syria denies the charges. Kanaan later committed suicide.
In September 2005, Ghazali was questioned on the Rafiq al-Hariri bombing by United Nations
investigator Detlev Mehlis
. In December 2005, former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam
accused Ghazali of political corruption, dictatorial rule in Lebanon and of threatening al-Hariri prior to his death. After the withdrawal from Lebanon little was heard of him. However, at the beginning of the protests in the city of Deraa, Gen Ghazali was sent by Bashar al-Assad to assure locals of the president's good intentions. He reportedly told them: "We have released the children" - a reference to several teenagers who were arrested for writing anti-regime graffiti inspired by the events in Egypt and Tunisia. In May 2011, the EU said Gen Ghazali was head of Military Intelligence in Damascus Countryside (Rif Dimashq) governorate, which borders Deraa governorate, and was involved in the repression of dissent in the region. He is considered part of Assad's inner circle.
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
n politician and military officer.
Born in 1953.Ghazali was appointed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad is the President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Ba'ath Party. His father Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria for 29 years until his death in 2000. Al-Assad was elected in 2000, re-elected in 2007, unopposed each time.- Early Life :...
in 2002 to succeed Gen. Ghazi Kanaan
Ghazi Kanaan
Ghazi Kanaan was Syria's Interior Minister from 2004 to 2005, and long-time head of Syria's security apparatus in Lebanon...
as head of Syrian military intelligence in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. He frequently traveled to the Bekaa valley where he had a residence and his headquarters in Anjar, and has been accused of involvement in the Bekaa drug trade and other smuggling ventures.
In early 2005, the killing of Rafiq al-Hariri led to intense pressure on Syria. Ghazali's and Kanaan's foreign assets were frozen by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for their role in the alleged occupation of Lebanon and other suspected irregularities. Syria eventually withdrew its 15,000 man strong army
Military of Syria
The Syrian Armed Forces are the military forces of Syria. They consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Air Defense Force.-Manpower:The President of Syria is the commander in chief of the Syrian armed forces, comprising some 646,500 troops upon mobilization. The military is a conscripted force;...
. Ghazali relocated to Syria. However, some Lebanese and foreign observers allege that Syria keeps interfering with Lebanese politics through parts of its intelligence apparatus left behind in the country; Syria denies the charges. Kanaan later committed suicide.
In September 2005, Ghazali was questioned on the Rafiq al-Hariri bombing by United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
investigator Detlev Mehlis
Detlev Mehlis
Detlev Mehlis is currently the Senior Public Prosecutor in the Office of the Attorney General in Berlin. He has 30 years of prosecutorial experience and has led numerous investigations into serious, complex transnational crimes...
. In December 2005, former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam
Abdul Halim Khaddam
Abdul Halim Khaddam is a Syrian politician who was Vice President of Syria from 1984 to 2005.-Early life and career:Abdul Halim Khaddam was born on 15 September 1932 in Baniyas, Syria. Abdul Halim was one of the few Sunni Muslims to make it to the top of the Alawite-dominated Syrian leadership...
accused Ghazali of political corruption, dictatorial rule in Lebanon and of threatening al-Hariri prior to his death. After the withdrawal from Lebanon little was heard of him. However, at the beginning of the protests in the city of Deraa, Gen Ghazali was sent by Bashar al-Assad to assure locals of the president's good intentions. He reportedly told them: "We have released the children" - a reference to several teenagers who were arrested for writing anti-regime graffiti inspired by the events in Egypt and Tunisia. In May 2011, the EU said Gen Ghazali was head of Military Intelligence in Damascus Countryside (Rif Dimashq) governorate, which borders Deraa governorate, and was involved in the repression of dissent in the region. He is considered part of Assad's inner circle.