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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Blair denounces Lebanon killing | Blair denounces Lebanon killing |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Prime Minister Tony Blair has condemned the killing of a leading Christian Lebanese minister, who has been shot dead in Beirut. | |
| Pierre Gemayel's death comes amid a political crisis in Lebanon, after six pro-Syrian cabinet members resigned. | Pierre Gemayel's death comes amid a political crisis in Lebanon, after six pro-Syrian cabinet members resigned. |
| Mr Blair said: "We condemn this murder utterly. It is completely without any justification at all." | Mr Blair said: "We condemn this murder utterly. It is completely without any justification at all." |
| US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said the killing was "an act of terrorism" and "intimidation". | US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said the killing was "an act of terrorism" and "intimidation". |
| Mr Gemayel, a member of the Phalange Party and the son of former President Gemayel Amin, was shot in his car and died later in hospital. | Mr Gemayel, a member of the Phalange Party and the son of former President Gemayel Amin, was shot in his car and died later in hospital. |
| 'Protect democracy' | 'Protect democracy' |
| Mr Blair said: "We need to do everything we can, particularly at this moment, to protect democracy in Lebanon and the premiership of Prime Minister Siniora. | Mr Blair said: "We need to do everything we can, particularly at this moment, to protect democracy in Lebanon and the premiership of Prime Minister Siniora. |
| "And it underlines once again the absolute and urgent need for a strategy for the whole of the Middle East, that supports those who favour democracy and the proper way of resolving disputes everywhere." | "And it underlines once again the absolute and urgent need for a strategy for the whole of the Middle East, that supports those who favour democracy and the proper way of resolving disputes everywhere." |
| The news of the killing was confirmed by the son of Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister was killed last year in a huge blast. | The news of the killing was confirmed by the son of Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister was killed last year in a huge blast. |
| A recent UN report implicated Syria in Rafik Hariri's death, although Syria has denied involvement. | A recent UN report implicated Syria in Rafik Hariri's death, although Syria has denied involvement. |
| Gemayel's death is the latest in a series of assassinations in Lebanon | Gemayel's death is the latest in a series of assassinations in Lebanon |
| His son, Saad, 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. | His son, Saad, 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. |
| But Syria denounced Mr Gemayel's assassination, calling it a "despicable crime". | But Syria denounced Mr Gemayel's assassination, calling it a "despicable crime". |
| "Syria strongly condemns the killing", the official Syrian news agency, Sana, said. | "Syria strongly condemns the killing", the official Syrian news agency, Sana, said. |
| Regional tension | Regional tension |
| 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. |
| This tragic assassination will further destabilise the political situation in Lebanon Michael Moore, Lib Dems | This tragic assassination will further destabilise the political situation in Lebanon Michael Moore, Lib Dems |
| Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Conservatives also "strongly condemned" the killing. | Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Conservatives also "strongly condemned" the killing. |
| He added: "The international community must support prime minister Siniora's government, as it stands up to this act of intimidation and terrorism." | He added: "The international community must support prime minister Siniora's government, as it stands up to this act of intimidation and terrorism." |
| For the Liberal Democrats, Michael Moore said: "This tragic assassination will further destabilise the political situation in Lebanon." | For the Liberal Democrats, Michael Moore said: "This tragic assassination will further destabilise the political situation in Lebanon." |
| He added: "This tragedy has the potential to bring further crisis to an already troubled region. We urge all sides to show restraint." | He added: "This tragedy has the potential to bring further crisis to an already troubled region. We urge all sides to show restraint." |
| 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. | Despite the resignations, the depleted cabinet approved draft UN plans for setting up an international tribunal to try suspects in Mr Hariri's killing. |