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Lebanon death 'may herald coup' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The killing of Lebanese politician Pierre Gemayel may be the first shot in a coup against the government, a top US official has said. | |
John Bolton, the American ambassador to the United Nations, said recent probes into political killings in Lebanon suggested Syrian involvement. | John Bolton, the American ambassador to the United Nations, said recent probes into political killings in Lebanon suggested Syrian involvement. |
He told the BBC that if Syria was deemed to have been involved, the implications were serious. | He told the BBC that if Syria was deemed to have been involved, the implications were serious. |
Saturday sees the second day of a strike protesting at the killing. | Saturday sees the second day of a strike protesting at the killing. |
Many shops closed on Friday with business leaders saying they hoped the action would move Lebanon closer to a "national dialogue" and ward off the threat of division and street protests. | Many shops closed on Friday with business leaders saying they hoped the action would move Lebanon closer to a "national dialogue" and ward off the threat of division and street protests. |
Mr Gemayel, a Maronite Christian who was the industry minister, was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut on Tuesday. | Mr Gemayel, a Maronite Christian who was the industry minister, was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut on Tuesday. |
Many Lebanese accuse Damascus of orchestrating the 34-year-old's murder, although Syria explicitly denies any role. | |
Talking and listening | Talking and listening |
Speaking in a BBC interview, Mr Bolton said he did not want to pre-judge any investigation into Mr Gemayel's death, but proof of Syrian involvement would have serious consequences. | |
Many Lebanese are still mourning Gemayel"I think then you have a further clear piece of evidence that Syria is not just a supporter of terrorism but is a state actor in a terrorist fashion and I think the United States has to take that into account when it decides whether and to what extent to deal with a country like that. | |
"We can talk to the Syrians, and do all the time. The issue is not whether the United States will talk to Syria; the issue is whether Syria is going to listen." | |
The BBC's Nick Miles in Washington says the US is in a diplomatic quandary. | |
It seems increasingly likely that a key advisory panel on future strategy in Iraq will suggest bringing in Syria to create a long-term solution to the violence, he says. | |
But our correspondent adds the assassination of Pierre Gemayel has made that all the more difficult. | |
The Lebanese cabinet is due to meet on Saturday to approve a United Nations plan for an international tribunal to try those accused of murdering the former Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri. | The Lebanese cabinet is due to meet on Saturday to approve a United Nations plan for an international tribunal to try those accused of murdering the former Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri. |
Syria has been implicated in the bombing that killed Mr Hariri last year, but denies involvement. | Syria has been implicated in the bombing that killed Mr Hariri last year, but denies involvement. |
Shaky government | Shaky government |
Correspondents say the Lebanese cabinet is expected to give its final approval to the tribunal, and this is likely to increase tensions with pro-Syrian politicians. | Correspondents say the Lebanese cabinet is expected to give its final approval to the tribunal, and this is likely to increase tensions with pro-Syrian politicians. |
Earlier this month six pro-Syrian ministers resigned from the cabinet, saying they wanted a greater role in government. | Earlier this month six pro-Syrian ministers resigned from the cabinet, saying they wanted a greater role in government. |
The death or resignation of two more cabinet ministers would bring down the government. | The death or resignation of two more cabinet ministers would bring down the government. |
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has agreed to a request from the Lebanese government to help investigate Mr Gemayel's murder. | Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has agreed to a request from the Lebanese government to help investigate Mr Gemayel's murder. |
His killing will be probed by the same tribunal that implicated senior Syrian officials and pro-Syrian Lebanese in the killing of Mr Hariri. | His killing will be probed by the same tribunal that implicated senior Syrian officials and pro-Syrian Lebanese in the killing of Mr Hariri. |
Correspondents say the government is accusing Hezbollah of exploiting the delicate political situation in Lebanon to try and block the UN-backed probe into the Hariri killing. | Correspondents say the government is accusing Hezbollah of exploiting the delicate political situation in Lebanon to try and block the UN-backed probe into the Hariri killing. |
Pro-Syrian groups have already said the UN plan is illegal under Lebanon's constitution. | Pro-Syrian groups have already said the UN plan is illegal under Lebanon's constitution. |
In 2005, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon following 29 years of military and political rule over its smaller neighbour, after massive international pressure following the assassination of Mr Hariri. | In 2005, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon following 29 years of military and political rule over its smaller neighbour, after massive international pressure following the assassination of Mr Hariri. |