September 12, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 11, 1429

BEIRUT, Sept 11: Saleh Aridi, a member of Lebanon’s opposition Democratic Party, was killed on Wednesday in a car bomb explosion in his hometown of Baysur, southeast of Beirut, officials said.

His violent death came as Lebanon’s political parties prepared for a national dialogue next week aimed at reconciling their differences, which in May brought the country close to civil war.

“Aridi was killed in the explosion in Baysur, near Aley,” a security official said. “The initial probe indicates that the bomb was placed under his Mercedes.” He said Aridi had just left his house at about 9:30pm (1830 GMT) and was alone in his vehicle when the bomb went off. His body was charred, the official added. He said six passers-by were slightly wounded by the blast. No one claimed responsibility.

Aridi, in his 50s, was close to pro-Syrian Druze leader Talal Arslan, a rival to Druze anti-Syrian leader Walid Jumblatt. His father is a leading Druze religious figure.

Residents gathered in the village square in the aftermath of the bombing, with women seen weeping. “We can’t believe this is happening,” said one man.

“Does this mean a return to the cycle of violence?” The killing was a grim reminder of the series of bomb attacks that have shaken Lebanon in the last three years, killing a number of anti-Syrian politicians.—AFP