16 Year Old Former Lebanese Ambassador To United States Death Triggers Outrage In Lebanon

Published: January 22, 2014

One minute Mohammad Chaar was posing for a selfie. Moments later he was bleeding on the pavement after a car bomb detonated.

Mohammad Chaar wasn’t looking to become a martyr — or a victim. Late last month, the 16-year-old student was just hanging out with his friends in downtown Beirut, out of school and having fun. They all took a selfie to mark the moment, and never expected that moment would become so momentous.

The car bombing targeted and killed Mohamad Chatah, a former Lebanese Ambassador to the United States — but several others also lost their lives.

Minutes after the blast, Chaar appeared in another picture. In it, he’s seen lying unconscious and bleeding on the pavement. He later died from his wounds.

Chaar died from his wounds, and it wasn't long before he was branded a "martyr." But many younger Lebanese, sick of the constant violence in their country, were outraged by the label.

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Lebanese began protesting the teenager's death through a unique online campaign called "Not a Martyr."

A portrait of Mohammad al-Chaar is seen during a candlelight vigil at the site of the blast. The car bombs haven't stopped since his death.

ByKanyi Okeke

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Kanyi is the Founder & Editor-in-Chief of KanyiDaily.com.When she's not serving DAILY delicious scoops on Entertainment and news, you can find her reading a book by the beach.Keep up with Kanyi on Instagram and Twitter or through her email [email protected]