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Lebanese Christian leader killed Lebanese Christian leader killed
(20 minutes later)
Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, a Maronite Christian leader, has been killed in the capital, Beirut. Pierre Gemayel, a leading anti-Syrian Lebanese minister and Maronite Christian leader, has been killed in the capital, Beirut.
Mr Gemayel, a leading anti-Syrian politician, was shot in the street in a Christian suburb and rushed to hospital, where he died. Mr Gemayel was shot in the street in a Christian suburb and rushed to hospital, where he died.
His death comes amid a political crisis in Lebanon, following the resignation of six pro-Syrian cabinet members.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 the son of former President Gemayel 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 the Sin el-Fil neighbourhood, Reuters news agency quoted security sources as saying.Gunmen opened fire on Mr Gemayel's convoy as it travelled through the Sin el-Fil neighbourhood, Reuters news agency quoted security sources as saying.
Syria blamed Television pictures from the scene showed two cars raked with bullet holes, with the bonnet of one of the vehicles crumpled.
Supporters of Mr Gemayel gathered at the hospital where he was taken.
Killing condemned
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.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.
LEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS Feb 2005: Former PM Rafik HaririJune 2005: Anti-Syria journalist Samir KassirJune 2005: Ex-Communist leader George HawiDec 2005: Anti-Syria MP Gebran TueniNov 2006: Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel A recent UN report implicated Syria in Rafik Hariri's death, although Syria has denied involvement. LEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS Feb 2005: Former PM Rafik HaririJune 2005: Anti-Syria journalist Samir KassirJune 2005: Ex-Communist leader George HawiDec 2005: Anti-Syria MP Gebran TueniNov 2006: Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6169978.stm" class="">Profile: Pierre Gemayel A recent UN report implicated Syria in Rafik Hariri's death, although Syria has denied involvement.
Saad Hariri, who is also the leader of the anti-Syrian coalition which has a majority in parliament, has now accused Damascus of being behind the killing of Mr Gemayel as well.Saad Hariri, who is also the leader of the anti-Syrian coalition which has a majority in parliament, has now accused Damascus of being behind the killing of Mr Gemayel as well.
"The Cedar revolution is under attack...Today one of our main believers in a free democratic Lebanon has been killed. We believe the hand of Syria is all over [this]," he told CNN. "The Cedar Revolution is under attack...Today one of our main believers in a free democratic Lebanon has been killed. We believe the hand of Syria is all over [this]," he told CNN.
International condemnation of Gemayel's murder was swift. Syria denounced Mr Gemayel's assassination, calling it a "despicable crime."
"Syria strongly condemns the killing," the official Syrian news agency, Sana, said.
Western condemnation of Mr Gemayel's murder was also swift.
"We are shocked by this assassination," US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns told reporters."We are shocked by this assassination," US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns told reporters.
"We believe it is the responsibility of all countries to support the [Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad] Siniora government," he added."We believe it is the responsibility of all countries to support the [Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad] Siniora government," he added.
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the killing would increase regional tension.UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the killing would increase regional tension.
"Clearly we condemn it. We are dismayed. There are enough problems in Lebanon already," she told a press conference in London."Clearly we condemn it. We are dismayed. There are enough problems in Lebanon already," she told a press conference in London.
Six pro-Syrian ministers quit their jobs last week in an attempt to bring down the government after their calls for a greater role were rejected.Six pro-Syrian ministers quit their jobs last week in an attempt to bring down the government after their calls for a greater role were rejected.
Despite the resignations, the depleted cabinet approved draft UN plans for setting up an international tribunal to try suspects in Mr Hariri's killing.


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?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?
The BBC World Service radio programme World Have Your Say will be discussing this topic at 1800GMT and using comments left here during the show. As a result comments will not appear on this page. The BBC World Service radio programme World Have Your Say will be discussing this topic at 1800GMT and using comments left here during the show. As a result comments will not appear on this page.
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