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| Lebanon death 'may presage coup' | Lebanon death 'may presage coup' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| This week's killing of Lebanese politician Pierre Gemayel may be the first shot in a coup against the government, says a top US official. | This week's killing of Lebanese politician Pierre Gemayel may be the first shot in a coup against the government, says a top US official. |
| John Bolton, the American ambassador to the United Nations, said recent probes into political killings in Lebanon suggested Syrian involvement. | John Bolton, the American ambassador to the United Nations, said recent probes into political killings in Lebanon suggested Syrian involvement. |
| He told the BBC that if Syria was deemed to have been involved, the implications were serious. | He told the BBC that if Syria was deemed to have been involved, the implications were serious. |
| Saturday sees the second day of a strike protesting at the killing. | Saturday sees the second day of a strike protesting at the killing. |
| Many shops closed on Friday with business leaders saying they hoped the action would move Lebanon closer to a "national dialogue" and ward off the threat of division and street protests. | Many shops closed on Friday with business leaders saying they hoped the action would move Lebanon closer to a "national dialogue" and ward off the threat of division and street protests. |
| Mr Gemayel, a Maronite Christian who was the industry minister, was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut on Tuesday. | Mr Gemayel, a Maronite Christian who was the industry minister, was shot in his car in a Christian area of Beirut on Tuesday. |
| Many Lebanese accuse Damascus of orchestrating the 34-year-old's murder, although Syria explicitly denies any involvement. | Many Lebanese accuse Damascus of orchestrating the 34-year-old's murder, although Syria explicitly denies any involvement. |
| Talking and listening | Talking and listening |
| Speaking in a BBC interview, Mr Bolton said he did not want to pre-judge any investigation into Mr Gemayel's death. | Speaking in a BBC interview, Mr Bolton said he did not want to pre-judge any investigation into Mr Gemayel's death. |
| Many Lebanese are still mourning Gemayel | Many Lebanese are still mourning Gemayel |
| Mr Bolton said that Washington would have to take such things into account when deciding whether to deal with Syria. | Mr Bolton said that Washington would have to take such things into account when deciding whether to deal with Syria. |
| He said the Americans talked to the Syrians all the time - the issue was whether Syria was going to listen. | |
| The Lebanese cabinet is due to meet on Saturday to approve a United Nations plan for an international tribunal to try those accused of murdering the former Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri. | The Lebanese cabinet is due to meet on Saturday to approve a United Nations plan for an international tribunal to try those accused of murdering the former Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri. |
| Syria has been implicated in the bombing that killed Mr Hariri last year, but denies involvement. | Syria has been implicated in the bombing that killed Mr Hariri last year, but denies involvement. |
| Shaky government | Shaky government |
| Correspondents say the Lebanese cabinet is expected to give its final approval to the tribunal, and this is likely to increase tensions with pro-Syrian politicians. | Correspondents say the Lebanese cabinet is expected to give its final approval to the tribunal, and this is likely to increase tensions with pro-Syrian politicians. |
| Earlier this month six pro-Syrian ministers resigned from the cabinet, saying they wanted a greater role in government. | Earlier this month six pro-Syrian ministers resigned from the cabinet, saying they wanted a greater role in government. |
| 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. |
| Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has agreed to a request from the Lebanese government to help investigate Mr Gemayel's murder. | Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has agreed to a request from the Lebanese government to help investigate Mr Gemayel's murder. |
| His killing will be probed by the same tribunal that implicated senior Syrian officials and pro-Syrian Lebanese in the killing of Mr Hariri. | His killing will be probed by the same tribunal that implicated senior Syrian officials and pro-Syrian Lebanese in the killing of Mr Hariri. |
| Correspondents say the government is accusing Hezbollah of exploiting the delicate political situation in Lebanon to try and block the UN-backed probe into the Hariri killing. | Correspondents say the government is accusing Hezbollah of exploiting the delicate political situation in Lebanon to try and block the UN-backed probe into the Hariri killing. |
| Pro-Syrian groups have already said the UN plan is illegal under Lebanon's constitution. | Pro-Syrian groups have already said the UN plan is illegal under Lebanon's constitution. |
| In 2005, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon following 29 years of military and political rule over its smaller neighbour, after massive international pressure following the assassination of Mr Hariri. | In 2005, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon following 29 years of military and political rule over its smaller neighbour, after massive international pressure following the assassination of Mr Hariri. |