BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) – Samar Itani has a new addition to a grim collection of badges pinned to her black blazer – a picture of the latest anti-Syrian activist killed in bombings that have kept Lebanon on edge since February’s assassination of a former prime minister.

The badge shows the face of Gibran Tueni, a lawmaker and editor of Lebanon’s leading daily, whose death in a car bomb has provoked a fresh outpouring of anti-Syrian anger following a two-month lull in attacks.

The assassination of a yet another critic of Syria has so shocked many Lebanese that defiance is giving way to fear, with many wondering who might be the next target and despairing over whether the attacks will ever end.

“I fear there will be no one left who dares to speak out. Anyone who demands freedom and independence gets killed,” said Itani, 24, one of tens of thousands who marched behind Tueni’s coffin in Beirut on Wednesday in a flag-waving protest.

Many Lebanese blame Syria for Monday’s assassination of the 48-year-old Tueni, who inspired many Lebanese youths by standing up to Syria when it controlled its smaller neighbor. Syria has denied involvement in the killing.

The bombings started with the death of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 20 others in a Feb. 14 truck blast on a Beirut street.

Hariri’s assassination triggered massive anti-Syrian protests and an international outcry that forced Syria to pull out its troops from the country in April, ending three decades of military and political control of Lebanon.

But the bombings have continued, claiming the lives of eight people, including an anti-Syrian journalist and a former Communist Party leader. Among the dozens wounded are Defense Minister Elias Murr and a television anchorwoman.

The London-based Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat said Saturday that it had asked Detlev Mehlis, who is leading a U.N. probe into Hariri’s death, if he was firmly convinced that Syria was behind Hariri’s killing and he replied, “Yes.”

Asked whether he was directly accusing the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, already under heavy international pressure to cooperate with the U.N. probe, Mehlis said, “Let’s say the Syrian authorities.” He declined to elaborate, the newspaper said.

There have been no arrests in any of the attacks, leaving many with the impression that authorities are helpless to stop them.

“We are being slaughtered one by one and no one seems to care,” said Siba Yaghi, a 39-year-old woman who traveled from eastern Lebanon to march in Tueni’s funeral. “People are scared, everyone is a target, and there is no protection for anyone.”

Some politicians have left the country temporarily, while others have canceled public appearances. Newspapers have published lists of people believed to be future targets, while journalists who feel they are in danger employ bodyguards, drive in armored vehicles or check cars daily for bombs.

On Thursday, the U.N. Security Council voted to extend an investigation into Hariri’s assassination but rejected Lebanon’s request to immediately broaden the probe to include other terror attacks and establish an international tribunal. The decision frustrated many Lebanese who had hoped the investigation would shed light on years of unsolved assassinations in their country.

In his latest report, Mehlis said new evidence strengthened his belief that the Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services had a hand in Hariri’s killing. The report said there were 19 suspects so far, including six high-ranking Syrian officials. Syria has denied involvement.

The investigation, however, has faced obstacles, with the Security Council criticizing the Syrian government for failing to cooperate fully, and many expect it to drag on for months.

“We are waiting for the next martyr,” said Faisal Salman, a columnist in Lebanon’s daily As-Safir. “The nominations have begun, and the list is long.”

Still, many Syria critics say they attacks have only increased their resolve.

Youth activists are planning to return to Martyrs’ Square in central Beirut where they camped out for more than two months until the Syrian troop withdrawal in April. They vow now to demand the ouster of Lebanon’s pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud and the removal of pro-Syrian agents within the security services. Lahoud has rejected calls to step down.

“We didn’t come all this way for nothing,” said Fadi Sibai, a 33-year-old car dealer. “Lebanon is being born again, and no birth is ever easy, but in the end, the democracy and freedom that are hallmarks of Lebanese life will prevail.”

Looking down at her badges, Itani adds, “We should never forget them. They died for us, so that we can be free.”

AP-ES-12-17-05 1743EST