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Bush condemns Lebanon MP killing Lebanon to mourn anti-Syrian MP
(about 5 hours later)
US President George W Bush has led international condemnation of the killing of an anti-Syrian member of the Lebanese parliament in a bomb blast. The Lebanese government has declared a national day of mourning after an anti-Syrian member of parliament was killed in a bomb blast in Beirut.
Walid Eido was among at least 10 people killed in the bombing in the mainly Muslim Manara neighbourhood of Beirut. Walid Eido was among at least 10 people killed in Wednesday's bombing in the city's mainly Muslim Manara district.
Mr Bush stopped short of blaming Syria but warned Damascus to stop creating instability in Lebanon. He is the third member of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority to be killed in a bombing in two years.
Mr Eido is the third member of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority to be killed in a bombing in two years. Banks and schools stayed shut as Lebanon prepared to bury Mr Eido, whose murder drew international condemnation.
Day of mourning The leader of parliament's anti-Syrian group, Saad Hariri, called on Lebanese to turn out en masse for the funerals.
In a statement the White House said there had been a "clear pattern of assassinations" in recent years of those opposed to Syrian interference in Lebanon's affairs. Mr Eido is due to be buried in Beirut after Muslim noon prayers, at around 1000 GMT.
President Bush said the US would continue to support Lebanon but added that "efforts by Damascus and Tehran to foment instability in Lebanon must stop now". 'Fomenting instability'
Mr Eido is the latest anti-Syrian figure to be killed in Beirut In a statement, the White House said there had been a "clear pattern of assassinations" of those opposed to Syrian interference in Lebanon's affairs.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the attack as unacceptable and Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has declared Thursday a national day of mourning. "Those working for a sovereign and democratic Lebanon have always been the ones targeted," US President George W Bush said.
"The victims have always been those who sought an end to Syrian President [Bashar al-] Assad's interference in Lebanon's internal affairs."
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 GemayelJune 2007: Anti-Syria MP Walid Eido
Mr Bush said that the US would continue to support Lebanon but added that "efforts by Damascus and Tehran to foment instability in Lebanon must stop now".
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the attack as unacceptable.
After the resignation last week of another coalition member, Mr Eido's death leaves the anti-Syrian bloc with a slim majority of just three members in parliament.After the resignation last week of another coalition member, Mr Eido's death leaves the anti-Syrian bloc with a slim majority of just three members in parliament.
Wednesday's blast was the sixth explosion in four weeks in Lebanon. Two people were killed in the previous blasts. Wednesday's blast was the sixth explosion in four weeks in Lebanon. Two people were killed in the previous blast.
Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh blamed Syria for the latest attack, saying it was trying to wipe out the anti-Syrian majority in parliament.Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh blamed Syria for the latest attack, saying it was trying to wipe out the anti-Syrian majority in parliament.
"It is the same serial killer who wants to liquidate the parliamentary majority; it is a physical liquidation by the Syrian regime," Mr Hamadeh told the AFP news agency."It is the same serial killer who wants to liquidate the parliamentary majority; it is a physical liquidation by the Syrian regime," Mr Hamadeh told the AFP news agency.
The latest blast comes two weeks after the UN Security Council voted to set up a tribunal to try suspects in the death of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, killed in a car bombing in Beirut two years ago.The latest blast comes two weeks after the UN Security Council voted to set up a tribunal to try suspects in the death of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, killed in a car bombing in Beirut two years ago.
Damascus denied any role in that attack.Damascus denied any role in that attack.
Wreckage strewn
Lebanon's Future TV said Mr Eido, who was in his 60s, was killed along with one of his sons and two of his bodyguards.
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 GemayelJune 2007: Anti-Syria MP Walid Eido
Mr Eido was a member of the Future Movement of Mr Hariri's son, Saad.
The explosion occurred at 1730 (1430 GMT) in a side street between two popular beach resorts, the Long Beach and the Sporting Club.
Television pictures from the scene showed wreckage strewn across a wide area.
The smouldering, upturned remains of at least one vehicle could be seen amid chunks of debris and shattered glass from surrounding buildings.
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says there was chaos as rescue workers and fire trucks tried to get to the area.