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Reference.org
Ghazi Kanaan
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<p>Ghazi Kanaan was a Syrian <a href="/facts/Officer_(armed_forces)/FDFw2Bpd">military officer</a> and intelligence chief who served as Syria's <a href="/facts/Interior_minister/avUIRDbE">interior minister</a> from 2004 to 2005. He was also the long-time head of Syria's security apparatus in <a href="/facts/Lebanon/2dReTXyp">Lebanon</a> from 1982 to 2002. </p><p>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 <a href="/facts/Rafic_Hariri/htIt4a7T">Rafic Hariri</a>'s assassination in 2005. His violent death later that year, officially declared a suicide, was met with skepticism by some, drawing international attention. </p>