This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6175508.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Thousands attend Beirut funeral Thousands attend Beirut funeral
(20 minutes later)
Thousands of people have gathered in Lebanon for the funeral of murdered anti-Syrian politician Pierre Gemayel.Thousands of people have gathered in Lebanon for the funeral of murdered anti-Syrian politician Pierre Gemayel.
Crowds carrying flags and posters converged in Beirut near the site of the service at St George Cathedral, as troops deployed across the capital. Crowds carrying flags and posters converged in Beirut near the site of the service at St George Cathedral.
The funeral is also being seen as a political rally. Hundreds of troops have been deployed in the capital, with the country in a state of high tension.
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 United Nations Security Council has agreed to a request from Lebanon to help to investigate the murder. 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 href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6172158.stm" class="">Press outrage at killing href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6176050.stm" class="">In pictures: Gemayel funeral The United Nations 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 on Tuesday.The industry minister and Maronite Christian politician was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut on Tuesday.
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. Six pro-Syrian cabinet members have already resigned. 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".
'Shove civil war''Shove civil war'
The coffin of the 34-year-old politician was borne to the Beirut cathedral from his village of Bikfaya.The coffin of the 34-year-old politician was borne to the Beirut cathedral from his village of Bikfaya.
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 funeral
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.
Main roads into Beirut were jammed with mourners' vehicles, many of them draped with pictures of the politician.Main roads into Beirut were jammed with mourners' vehicles, many of them draped with pictures of the politician.
Posters have also appeared showing the face of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with the slogan "Shove your civil war".Posters have also appeared showing the face of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with the slogan "Shove your civil war".
Speakers addressed the crowds as they waited for the cortege, and a BBC correspondent among them says the gathering feels like a political rally.Speakers addressed the crowds as they waited for the cortege, and a BBC correspondent among them says the gathering feels like a political rally.
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 Lebanon: Key facts Mr Gemayel's supporters have vowed to stage a show of public outrage.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 Lebanon: Key facts Mr Gemayel's supporters have vowed to stage a show of public outrage.
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.
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.
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.
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.