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Lebanon mourns murdered minister Lebanon mourns murdered minister
(10 minutes later)
Lebanon is observing the first of three days of mourning in memory of Pierre Gemayel, the Maronite Christian politician assassinated in Beirut.Lebanon is observing the first of three days of mourning in memory of Pierre Gemayel, the Maronite Christian politician assassinated in Beirut.
Mr Gemayel, 34, was shot in his car in a Christian area. Saad Hariri, leader of the anti-Syrian coalition, blamed Syria but it denied any involvement. Mr Gemayel, 34, was shot in his car in a Christian area of the city.
World leaders have condemned the cabinet minister's killing. The head of the anti-Syrian coalition, Saad Hariri, blamed Damascus. Syria has strongly denied any involvement.
The UN Security Council called Mr Gemayel a patriot and criticised attempts to destabilise the country. World leaders have condemned the cabinet minister's killing, and the UN Security Council has criticised attempts to destabilise the country.
The army took to the streets of Beirut after the attack. Tyres were burned in the Christian neighbourhood of Ashrafiyeh.The army took to the streets of Beirut after the attack. Tyres were burned in the Christian neighbourhood of Ashrafiyeh.
Anti-Syrian protesters also shouted slogans and blocked streets in the Christian town of Zahle in east Lebanon.Anti-Syrian protesters also shouted slogans and blocked streets in the Christian town of Zahle in east Lebanon.
TribunalTribunal
BBC Middle East correspondent Jeremy Bowen says the assassination seems to have been designed to inflame sectarian tensions at a time when Lebanon was already going through a profound political crisis.BBC Middle East correspondent Jeremy Bowen says the assassination seems to have been designed to inflame sectarian tensions at a time when Lebanon was already going through a profound political crisis.
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 In pictures: Gemayel killing Politics mired in murderLEBANESE 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 In pictures: Gemayel killing Politics mired in murder
Last week, Lebanon's cabinet endorsed plans to set up a tribunal to try those suspected of killing former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri - Saad Hariri's father - despite the resignations of six pro-Syrian ministers opposed to it.Last week, Lebanon's cabinet endorsed plans to set up a tribunal to try those suspected of killing former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri - Saad Hariri's father - despite the resignations of six pro-Syrian ministers opposed to it.
A UN report recently implicated Damascus in the killing of Hariri by a car bomb in Beirut in February 2005. Syria denies the charges. A UN report recently implicated Damascus in the killing of Hariri by a truck bomb in Beirut in February 2005. Syria denies the charges.
The Security Council approved the plans for the tribunal on Tuesday. The Lebanese government will now be asked to approve it formally.The Security Council approved the plans for the tribunal on Tuesday. The Lebanese government will now be asked to approve it formally.
Mr Gemayel, minister for industry, was a member of the Phalange Party and the son of former President Amin Gemayel.Mr Gemayel, minister for industry, was a member of the Phalange Party and the son of former President Amin Gemayel.
Speaking to crowds of angry supporters outside the hospital where his son was pronounced dead, the former president called his son a martyr and asked for a peaceful reaction.Speaking to crowds of angry supporters outside the hospital where his son was pronounced dead, the former president called his son a martyr and asked for a peaceful reaction.
"We don't want reactions and revenge," he said."We don't want reactions and revenge," he said.
International condemnationInternational condemnation
At least three gunmen ambushed Mr Gemayel, ramming his car with their vehicle before spraying it with gunfire from point blank range.At least three gunmen ambushed Mr Gemayel, ramming his car with their vehicle before spraying it with gunfire from point blank range.
The killing brought a swift reaction from world leaders, many of whom also offered backing for the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.The killing brought a swift reaction from world leaders, many of whom also offered backing for the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
Mr Siniora said assassinations would not terrorise Lebanon, adding: "We will not let the criminal killers control our fate."Mr Siniora said assassinations would not terrorise Lebanon, adding: "We will not let the criminal killers control our fate."
US President George W Bush called for a full investigation to identify "those people and those forces" behind the killing.US President George W Bush called for a full investigation to identify "those people and those forces" behind the killing.
We condemn this murder utterly Tony BlairUK Prime Minister Gemayel murder condemned Lebanese voice concern Mr Bush backed Mr Siniora's government, accusing Syria and Iran of fomenting "instability and violence" in Lebanon.We condemn this murder utterly Tony BlairUK Prime Minister Gemayel murder condemned Lebanese voice concern Mr Bush backed Mr Siniora's government, accusing Syria and Iran of fomenting "instability and violence" in Lebanon.
"Syria's refusal to cease and desist from its continuing efforts to destabilise Lebanon's democratically elected government is a repeated violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions," he said."Syria's refusal to cease and desist from its continuing efforts to destabilise Lebanon's democratically elected government is a repeated violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions," he said.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the killing was "completely without any justification at all", while Syria called it a "despicable crime".UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the killing was "completely without any justification at all", while Syria called it a "despicable crime".
There was also condemnation of the killing from Iran and from the Hezbollah, the Shia Muslim Lebanese political and militant group.There was also condemnation of the killing from Iran and from the Hezbollah, the Shia Muslim Lebanese political and militant group.
Tehran called the killing an attack by "Lebanon's enemies", while Hezbollah called for a swift investigation.Tehran called the killing an attack by "Lebanon's enemies", while Hezbollah called for a swift investigation.