FBI Mosted Wanted Terrorist Imad Mughniyeh Killed By Car Bomb

One of the FBI's most wanted terrorists, Imad Mughniyeh, was killed overnight by a car bomb in Damascus, Syria after having dropped out of sight for nearly fifteen years. Considered to be one of the most elusive terrorists in the world, the former Hezbollah security chief had been previously implicated in a series of attacks that killed hundreds of Americans in Lebanon in the 1980's, as well as a string of brutal kidnappings and bombings of Jewish sites in Argentina.

Hezbollah, a Lebanaese Shiite militant group, as wel as their main ally, Iran, have accused Israel in the assassination. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has quickly denied the charge, stating "Israel rejects the attempt by terrorist elements to ascribe to it any involvement whatsoever in this incident."

The US government is pleased to hear news of his death, as Mughniyeh was indicted in the US for the 1985 hijacking of a TWA airliner. A US Navy diver was killed in that incident, and the FBI put a $5 million bounty on him.

The FBI says that they are awaiting official confirmation of Imad Mughniyeh's death, as well as the details. Sean McCormack, a spokesman for the State Department said, "The world is a better place without this man in it. One way or another he was brought to justice."

Richard Kolko, a spokesman for the FBI said, "If this information proves true, it would be considered good news in the ongoing fight against terrorist."

As much as the US is pleased by Mughniyeh's death, it is not likely to help the already tense situation in the Middle East. It is believed that his assassination may increase the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as its allies Syria and Iran. On Wednesday, some Lebanese figures close to the Hezbollah called for attacks on Israel in retaliation.

The situation in Lebanon may also worsen. Currently, Hezbollah is locked in a bitter power struggle with the US-backed government. Hezbollah called for massive turnouts at Imad Mughniyeh's funeral to be held today, and at the same time, government supports are planning a rally expected to draw hundreds of thousands to mark the third anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. It is now feared that street violence may erupt between the two parties.

Further fanning the flames, Hezbollah announced on their Al-Mana TV network that Mughniyeh "became a martyr at the hands of the Zionist Israelis." In memorial, the network played Quranic verses and aired a rare, recent photo of him.