Ghazi Kanaan غازي كنعان | |
---|---|
Minister of Interior | |
In office 4 October 2004 – 12 October 2005 | |
President | Bashar al-Assad |
Prime Minister | Muhammad Naji al-Otari |
Preceded by | Ali Hammoud |
Succeeded by | Bassam Abdel Majeed |
Director of Political Security Directorate | |
In office 2002–2004 | |
President | Bashar al-Assad |
Preceded by | Adnan Badr Hassan |
Succeeded by | Muhammad Mansoura |
Personal details | |
Born | 1942 Bhamra, Latakia Governorate, Syria |
Died | 12 October 2005 Damascus, Syria | (aged 62–63)
Political party | Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Syria |
Branch/service | Syrian Armed Forces |
Years of service | 1963–2004 |
Rank | Major General |
Ghazi Kanaan (Arabic: غازي كنعان; 1942 – 12 October 2005), also known as Abu Yo'roub, was Syria's interior minister from 2004 to 2005, and long-time head of Syria's security apparatus in Lebanon from 1982 to 2002.
Employing tactics such as endorsing pro-Syrian candidates and employing intimidation, Kanaan had a considerable influence over Lebanese politics, ensuring Lebanon was aligned with Syria's agenda. Kanaan was questioned during the investigation into Rafic Hariri's assassination in 2005. His violent death later that year, officially declared a suicide, was met with skepticism by some, drawing international attention.[1]