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Crowds mourn Lebanon politician Crowds mourn Lebanon politician
(about 3 hours later)
Large crowds have greeted the coffin of assassinated Lebanese Maronite Christian politician Pierre Gemayel after its arrival in his home village.Large crowds have greeted the coffin of assassinated Lebanese Maronite Christian politician Pierre Gemayel after its arrival in his home village.
Supporters carried the coffin through the village of Bikfaya, east of Beirut, at the start of three days of mourning.Supporters carried the coffin through the village of Bikfaya, east of Beirut, at the start of three days of mourning.
There is tight security in the village and across the country ahead of the politician's funeral on Thursday.There is tight security in the village and across the country ahead of the politician's funeral on Thursday.
Mr Gemayel, the industry minister and a leading anti-Syrian figure, was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut.Mr Gemayel, the industry minister and a leading anti-Syrian figure, was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut.
Those who killed him don't want the Lebanese to unite, anything after this is going to make things worse Fadi JalakhMourner Lebanon: Key facts Lebanese voice concernThose who killed him don't want the Lebanese to unite, anything after this is going to make things worse Fadi JalakhMourner Lebanon: Key facts Lebanese voice concern
Many people in Lebanon blame Syria for the killing, although Damascus has denied any involvement and condemned the assassination.Many people in Lebanon blame Syria for the killing, although Damascus has denied any involvement and condemned the assassination.
Mr Gemayel, 34, was the fifth anti-Syrian Lebanese politician to be killed in the past two years.Mr Gemayel, 34, was the fifth anti-Syrian Lebanese politician to be killed in the past two years.
His killing on Tuesday came at a time of crisis in Lebanese politics.His killing on Tuesday came at a time of crisis in Lebanese politics.
Last week, Lebanon's cabinet endorsed plans to set up a tribunal to try those suspected of killing former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri 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 despite the resignations of six pro-Syrian ministers opposed to it.
Pierre Gemayel was one of a young generation of politiciansPierre Gemayel was one of a young generation of politicians
A UN report recently implicated Damascus in the killing of Hariri by a truck 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.
Bursts of gunfireBursts of gunfire
Bells tolled and a huge crowd of mourners accompanied Mr Gemayel's coffin to the mountain village of Bikfaya.Bells tolled and a huge crowd of mourners accompanied Mr Gemayel's coffin to the mountain village of Bikfaya.
There was sombre applause from the crowd as the body passed.There was sombre applause from the crowd as the body passed.
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 Press outrage at killing Send us your commentsLEBANESE 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 Press outrage at killing Send us your comments
Women threw rice from balconies onto the coffin, which was draped in the striped flag of his Phalange party, and there were occasional bursts of guns fired into the air.Women threw rice from balconies onto the coffin, which was draped in the striped flag of his Phalange party, and there were occasional bursts of guns fired into the air.
As a priest said prayers at the Gemayel family home, the minister's friends and family wept over his coffin.As a priest said prayers at the Gemayel family home, the minister's friends and family wept over his coffin.
Mourners filed past, offering condolences to his father, former President Amin Gemayel.Mourners filed past, offering condolences to his father, former President Amin Gemayel.
"It's an indescribable feeling," mourner Fadi Jalakh, 27, told Reuters news agency."It's an indescribable feeling," mourner Fadi Jalakh, 27, told Reuters news agency.
"Those who killed him don't want the Lebanese to unite. Anything after this is going to make things worse.""Those who killed him don't want the Lebanese to unite. Anything after this is going to make things worse."
Mr Gemayel's supporters have called for a mass turnout at his funeral, and there is a large military presence both in the village and in Beirut.Mr Gemayel's supporters have called for a mass turnout at his funeral, and there is a large military presence both in the village and in Beirut.
Independence Day celebrations that were due to take place on Wednesday have been cancelled throughout the country.Independence Day celebrations that were due to take place on Wednesday have been cancelled throughout the country.
CondemnationCondemnation
The politician died after at least three gunmen ambushed him, ramming his car with their vehicle before spraying it with gunfire from point blank range.The politician died after at least three gunmen ambushed him, 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.
KEY TERMS MARONITES are Christians affiliated to the Roman Catholic Church. 800,000-900,000 live in Lebanon, roughly 25% of population. Current patriarch is Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir. Lebanon's constitution requires that the president is MaronitePHALANGE (Kataeb in Arabic) is a Lebanese political party advocating Maronite interests, and dominated by the Gemayel family. Its militia was a major player in the civil war href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6170032.stm" class="">In pictures: Gemayel killing Politics mired in murder KEY TERMS MARONITES are Christians affiliated to the Roman Catholic Church. 800,000-900,000 live in Lebanon, roughly 25% of population. Current patriarch is Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir. Lebanon's constitution requires that the president is MaronitePHALANGE (Kataeb in Arabic) is a Lebanese political party advocating Maronite interests, and dominated by the Gemayel family. Its militia was a major player in the civil war href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6173200.stm" class="">In pictures: Gemayel grief Politics mired in murder
Pope Benedict XVI condemned the assassination.Pope Benedict XVI condemned the assassination.
"Faced with the dark forces who are trying to destroy the country, I invite all Lebanese to not let themselves be vanquished by hate but instead to try to re-forge national unity, justice and reconciliation and to work together to build a future of peace," he said."Faced with the dark forces who are trying to destroy the country, I invite all Lebanese to not let themselves be vanquished by hate but instead to try to re-forge national unity, justice and reconciliation and to work together to build a future of peace," he said.
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.
He accused Syria and Iran of fomenting "instability and violence" in Lebanon.He accused Syria and Iran of fomenting "instability and violence" in Lebanon.
Syria's official SANA news agency condemned the murder as "a crime aimed at destabilising Lebanon and disturbing the civil peace in the country".Syria's official SANA news agency condemned the murder as "a crime aimed at destabilising Lebanon and disturbing the civil peace in the country".
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.