Lebanese industry minister and Maronite Christian leader Pierre Gemayel has been assassinated in the capital, Beirut, reports say.
Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, a Maronite Christian leader, has been killed in the capital Beirut.
Mr Gemayel, a leading anti-Syrian politican, was shot in a street in a Christian suburb of the city and rushed to hospital, Lebanese media reported.
Mr Gemayel, a leading anti-Syrian politician, was reportedly shot in the street in a Christian suburb and rushed to hospital, where he died.
It comes at a time of crisis in Lebanese politics, following the recent resignation of six cabinet ministers.
His death comes amid a political crisis in Lebanon, following the resignation of six pro-Syrian cabinet members.
Mr Gemayel was a member of the Phalange Party and son of former president Amin.
Mr Gemayel was a member of the Phalange Party and the son of former President Gemayel Amin.
Gunmen opened fire on Mr Gemayel's convoy as it travelled through Sin el-Fil neighbourhood, Reuters news agency quoted security sources as saying.
Syria blamed
The news of the killing was confirmed by Saad Hariri, the son of the country's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was himself killed last year in a huge blast.
Many Lebanese blamed Mr Hariri's death on Syria.
Saad Hariri, who is also the leader of the anti-Syrian coalition in the majority in parliament, has now accused Damascus of being behind the killing of Mr Gemayel as well.
Mr Gemayel's death means the Lebanese cabinet is now missing yet another minister.
The six pro-Syrian ministers quit their jobs last week in an attempt to bring down the government after their calls for a greater role in government were rejected.
Are you in Lebanon? What's your reaction to the shooting? What affect do you think this will have on Lebanese politics? Who do you think was responsible? How will this affect stability in the region?
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