Lebanese intelligence chief aware of threat before death

Nada Husseini, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 7:51 PM EDT, Mon October 22, 2012
Smoke billows in Tripoli's Bab al-Tabanneh neighborhood during clashes between Alawites, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, and anti-government supporters on Monday, October 22. Fighting continued in Tripoli and Beirut, where a top police official was killed in a car bombing. At least two people were killed in Tripoli and several wounded in Beirut.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Smoke billows in Tripoli's Bab al-Tabanneh neighborhood during clashes between Alawites, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, and anti-government supporters on Monday, October 22. Fighting continued in Tripoli and Beirut, where a top police official was killed in a car bombing. At least two people were killed in Tripoli and several wounded in Beirut.
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The coffin of intelligence chief Gen. Wissam al-Hassan arrives in downtown Beirut during his funeral procession on Sunday, October 21. Hassan, a prominent Lebanese figure opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, died when a powerful bomb exploded in an upmarket Beirut suburb on October 19, sparking calls for Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his government to quit.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
The coffin of intelligence chief Gen. Wissam al-Hassan arrives in downtown Beirut during his funeral procession on Sunday, October 21. Hassan, a prominent Lebanese figure opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, died when a powerful bomb exploded in an upmarket Beirut suburb on October 19, sparking calls for Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his government to quit.
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An anti-government protester waves a pre-Baath Syrian flag at a demonstration outside the govermental palace in Beirut, Lebanon, after a funeral for al-Hassan and his bodyguard on Sunday. The two men and one other person were killed in a car bombing on Friday.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
An anti-government protester waves a pre-Baath Syrian flag at a demonstration outside the govermental palace in Beirut, Lebanon, after a funeral for al-Hassan and his bodyguard on Sunday. The two men and one other person were killed in a car bombing on Friday.
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Demonstrators face off with Lebanese security forces on Sunday as they try to storm the palace.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Demonstrators face off with Lebanese security forces on Sunday as they try to storm the palace.
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Protesters climb a statue Sunday during the funeral of al-Hassan.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Protesters climb a statue Sunday during the funeral of al-Hassan.
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A demonstrator runs for cover from tear gas fired by Lebanese police on Sunday.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
A demonstrator runs for cover from tear gas fired by Lebanese police on Sunday.
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Anti-government protesters demonstrate outside the government palace on Sunday.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Anti-government protesters demonstrate outside the government palace on Sunday.
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Protesters react to tear gas being fired at them by Lebanese police officers on Sunday.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Protesters react to tear gas being fired at them by Lebanese police officers on Sunday.
Reuters/Landov
Protesters hurled sticks, stones and flags on Sunday. A number of injuries were reported, Lebanon's National News Agency said.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Protesters hurled sticks, stones and flags on Sunday. A number of injuries were reported, Lebanon's National News Agency said.
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Officers and mourners gather around al-Hassan's coffin during his funeral on Sunday.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Officers and mourners gather around al-Hassan's coffin during his funeral on Sunday.
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The mother and wife of the slain intelligence officer mourn Sunday.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
The mother and wife of the slain intelligence officer mourn Sunday.
Reuters/Landov
Lebanese officers of the Internal Security Forces carry the intelligence chief's coffin on Sunday.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Lebanese officers of the Internal Security Forces carry the intelligence chief's coffin on Sunday.
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Sunday's anti-government protests came after a series of political speeches given to the crowd gathered in Beirut's central square.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Sunday's anti-government protests came after a series of political speeches given to the crowd gathered in Beirut's central square.
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A Lebanese man holding the national flag watches the funeral procession on Sunday.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
A Lebanese man holding the national flag watches the funeral procession on Sunday.
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A woman with a cross and a rosary prays at a poster with an image of al-Hassan, during a protest Saturday, October 20, against his killing.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
A woman with a cross and a rosary prays at a poster with an image of al-Hassan, during a protest Saturday, October 20, against his killing.
AFP/Getty Images
People set up tents and gather outside the headquarters of the Prime Minister of Lebanonon on Saturday night.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
People set up tents and gather outside the headquarters of the Prime Minister of Lebanonon on Saturday night.
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A damaged building is pictured in Beirut's predominantly Christian district of Ashrafiyeh on Saturday.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
A damaged building is pictured in Beirut's predominantly Christian district of Ashrafiyeh on Saturday.
AFP/Getty Images
Smoke rises from burning tyres blocking the main northern entrance of Beirut on Saturday. Protesters blocked some roads in Beirut, Tripoli in the north, Sidon in the south, and the Bekaa Valley in the east.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Smoke rises from burning tyres blocking the main northern entrance of Beirut on Saturday. Protesters blocked some roads in Beirut, Tripoli in the north, Sidon in the south, and the Bekaa Valley in the east.
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Lebanese security forces inspect damage in Ashrafiyeh on Saturday.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
Lebanese security forces inspect damage in Ashrafiyeh on Saturday.
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A damaged building stands Saturday with windows knocked out and belongings from within strewn about.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
A damaged building stands Saturday with windows knocked out and belongings from within strewn about.
AFP/Getty Images
A worker on Saturday sweeps shattered glass outside damaged shops.
Lebanon on edge after officer's death —
A worker on Saturday sweeps shattered glass outside damaged shops.
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