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Thousands attend Beirut funeral Thousands attend Beirut funeral
(20 minutes later)
Tens of thousands have gathered for the funeral of leading anti-Syrian politician Pierre Gemayel. Tens of thousands have gathered in the Lebanese capital for the funeral of leading anti-Syrian politician Pierre Gemayel, who was killed on Tuesday.
Mr Gemayel's supporters had called for a large turnout at the service in Beirut at 1100 GMT, and troops have been deployed across the capital. His supporters had called for a large turnout at the service at 1100 GMT, and troops are deployed across Beirut.
Many Lebanese accuse Syria of involvement in Mr Gemayel's death, but Damascus rejects the claims.Many Lebanese accuse Syria of involvement in Mr Gemayel's death, but Damascus rejects the claims.
The UN Security Council has agreed to a request from Lebanon to help to investigate the murder.The UN Security Council has agreed to a request from Lebanon to help to investigate the murder.
The industry minister and Maronite Christian politician was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut.The industry minister and Maronite Christian politician was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut.
He was the fifth anti-Syrian Lebanese politician to be killed in two years, and his murder has intensified an acute political crisis in Lebanon.He was the fifth anti-Syrian Lebanese politician to be killed in two years, and his murder has intensified an acute political crisis in Lebanon.
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.
US President George W Bush has pledged support for Lebanese independence from what he called the "encroachments of Iran and Syria".US President George W Bush has pledged support for Lebanese independence from what he called the "encroachments of Iran and Syria".
Flags and furyFlags and fury
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 In pictures: Gemayel grief Crowds have gathered in Mr Gemayel's village ahead of his funeral, which comes amid three days of official mourning.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 In pictures: Gemayel grief Crowds have gathered in Mr Gemayel's village ahead of his funeral, which comes amid three days of official mourning.
Hundreds applauded as the 34-year-old's coffin was borne through Bikfaya on its way to Beirut.Hundreds applauded as the 34-year-old's coffin was borne through Bikfaya on its way to Beirut.
Dozens of cars and buses followed the cortege, waving the large white flags of the politician's right-wing Maronite Christian Phalange Party, and hooting their horns.Dozens of cars and buses followed the cortege, waving the large white flags of the politician's right-wing Maronite Christian Phalange Party, and hooting their horns.
In the capital, cars and buildings are draped with pictures of the politician.In the capital, cars and buildings are draped with pictures of the politician.
At the site of his death, supporters staged a candle-lit vigil amid party anthems on Wednesday night.At the site of his death, supporters staged a candle-lit vigil amid party anthems on Wednesday night.
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 Lebanese crisis explained Mr Gemayel's supporters have vowed to stage a show of public outrage, and correspondents say the funeral is bound to be politically charged.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 Lebanese crisis explained Mr Gemayel's supporters have vowed to stage a show of public outrage, and correspondents say the funeral is bound to be politically charged.
His death comes amid a political crisis in Lebanon, following the resignation of six pro-Syrian cabinet members.His death comes amid a political crisis in Lebanon, following the resignation of six pro-Syrian cabinet members.
Many Lebanese accuse Syria of involvement in the killing, which has sharpened tension between anti-Syrian forces, who back the government, and pro-Syrian groups like Hezbollah.Many Lebanese accuse Syria of involvement in the killing, which has sharpened tension between anti-Syrian forces, who back the government, and pro-Syrian groups like Hezbollah.
TribunalTribunal
The UN commission already looking into the murder of ex-Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in 2005 will take on the inquiry into Mr Gemayel's killing.The UN commission already looking into the murder of ex-Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in 2005 will take on the inquiry into Mr Gemayel's killing.
If we don't proceed with the operation of Lebanese law and the investigation and prosecution of these assassinations, then the terrorists will have won John Bolton,US ambassador to UN Lebanon: Key facts Lebanese voice concernIf we don't proceed with the operation of Lebanese law and the investigation and prosecution of these assassinations, then the terrorists will have won John Bolton,US ambassador to UN Lebanon: Key facts Lebanese voice concern
Correspondents say such a tribunal is highly controversial in Lebanon.Correspondents say such a tribunal is highly controversial in Lebanon.
Pro-Syrian politicians are against it and it cannot begin to be set up until the Lebanese parliament votes for it.Pro-Syrian politicians are against it and it cannot begin to be set up until the Lebanese parliament votes for it.
Mr Bush has not specifically blamed Iran or Syria for Mr Gemayel's murder but he has called for a full investigation to identify "those people and those forces" behind the killing.Mr Bush has not specifically blamed Iran or Syria for Mr Gemayel's murder but he has called for a full investigation to identify "those people and those forces" behind the killing.
A recent UN report implicated Syria in Mr Hariri's death, although Syria has denied involvement.A recent UN report implicated Syria in Mr Hariri's death, although Syria has denied involvement.