Military

DATE=1/24/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BEIRUT / BLAST (L)

NUMBER=2-285611

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A bomb blast in Beirut has killed the former leader of a pro-Israeli Lebanese Christian militia. Elie Hobeika had been accused of involvement in the 1982 massacre of Palestinian refugees during Israel's invasion of Lebanon. Ross Dunn reports from Jerusalem there were no immediate claims of responsibility for the bomb.

TEXT: Elie Hobeika and three of his bodyguards were killed in an explosion as he left his home in Beirut.

Mr. Hobeika, age 45, commanded the Christian Lebanese militia group that massacred hundreds of Palestinian refugees in Beirut's Sabra and Shatila refugee camps following Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon.

Israeli troops were encircling the camps at the time of the killings, but failed to halt the carnage.

Mr. Hobeika later went on to serve in the Lebanese government as a Cabinet Minister. He always denied responsibility for the killings.

The Israeli Defense Minister at the time of the massacre was Ariel Sharon, now the Prime Minister. Mr. Hobeika offered in July last year to give evidence about Mr. Sharon in a court case that a group of Palestinians are hoping to launch in Belgium.

They are seeking to bring war crimes charges against the Israeli Prime Minister. Mr. Sharon's lawyers said this week in Brussels that there are no grounds for him to be prosecuted.

An Israeli Government inquiry in 1983 found Mr. Sharon indirectly responsible for the killings and recommended that he never again hold the defense portfolio.

Mr. Sharon maintains his innocence and has been involved in several defamation cases in a bid to clear his name. (SIGNED)

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