An anti-Syrian Lebanese MP has been killed in an apparent car bomb attack in a mainly Christian suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
An anti-Syrian Lebanese MP has been killed in an apparent car bomb attack in a mainly Christian suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
Antoine Ghanim, a member of the Maronite Phalange party, and at least six others died when his car exploded in the eastern Sin al-Fil district.
Antoine Ghanim, a member of the Maronite Phalange party, and at least six others died when his car exploded in the eastern Sin al-Fil district.
The blast also damaged several nearby buildings and set four cars alight.
The blast also damaged several nearby buildings and set four cars alight.
The son of the Phalange leader Amin Gemayel, Pierre Gemayel, was shot dead by gunmen in November 2006.
The son of the Phalange leader Amin Gemayel, Pierre Gemayel, was shot dead by gunmen in November 2006.
Five other high-profile anti-Syrian Lebanese figures have been killed since the assassination of the former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, in 2005.
Five other high-profile anti-Syrian Lebanese figures have been killed since the assassination of the former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, in 2005.
The Syrian government has denied any involvement in the killings.
The Syrian government has denied any involvement in the killings.
The US, the UK and France all criticised the attack, which the White House said fitted a pattern of assassinations and attempted assassinations in Lebanon.
The US, the UK and France all criticised the attack, which the White House said fitted a pattern of assassinations and attempted assassinations in Lebanon.
Political deadlock
Political deadlock
The large car bomb exploded in late afternoon near the al-Hayik roundabout in Sin el-Fil.
The large car bomb exploded in late afternoon near the al-Hayik roundabout in Sin el-Fil.
ANTOINE GHANIM Anti-Syrian member of Lebanese parliament64-year-old lawyerMember of Lebanon's Maronite Christian Phalange partyElected deputy in 2000Re-elected in 2005
ANTOINE GHANIM Anti-Syrian member of Lebanese parliament64-year-old lawyerMember of Lebanon's Maronite Christian Phalange partyElected deputy in 2000Re-elected in 2005
Local television stations soon broadcast pictures of rescuers dragging charred bodies from the scene of the blast.
Local television stations soon broadcast pictures of rescuers dragging charred bodies from the scene of the blast.
Several seriously injured and burnt people were also taken away by ambulances.
Several seriously injured and burnt people were also taken away by ambulances.
Reports said Mr Ghanim had removed his parliamentary number plate and put it in the back of the car in an attempt to reduce his profile.
Reports said Mr Ghanim had removed his parliamentary number plate and put it in the back of the car in an attempt to reduce his profile.
Mr Ghanim was a member of the governing 14 March Movement and his death has reduced the bloc's majority in the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies to just two.
Mr Ghanim was a member of the governing 14 March Movement and his death has reduced the bloc's majority in the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies to just two.
It also comes less than a week before Lebanese MPs are scheduled to meet to elect a new president. Under Lebanon's sectarian political system, the post is reserved for a Maronite Christian.
It also comes less than a week before Lebanese MPs are scheduled to meet to elect a new president. Under Lebanon's sectarian political system, the post is reserved for a Maronite Christian.
The term of current President Emile Lahoud was extended to 2007, worsening pro- and anti-Syrian divisions, which were exacerbated in February 2005 by the killing of Rafik Hariri.
The term of current President Emile Lahoud was extended to 2007, worsening pro- and anti-Syrian divisions, which were exacerbated in February 2005 by the killing of Rafik Hariri.
The anti-Syrian 14 March Movement won power in legislative elections held soon after Syria withdrew its troops after 29 years.
The anti-Syrian 14 March Movement won power in legislative elections held soon after Syria withdrew its troops after 29 years.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says that despite the continuing deadlock between pro- and anti-Syrian factions in parliament, there had been signs of moderation and a will for dialogue between the two sides ahead of the vote.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says that despite the continuing deadlock between pro- and anti-Syrian factions in parliament, there had been signs of moderation and a will for dialogue between the two sides ahead of the vote.
Tensions are now bound to rise, our correspondent says.
Tensions are now bound to rise, our correspondent says.
In July, a Muslim member of the movement, Walid Eido, was among at least 10 people killed in an explosion in Beirut's Manara neighbourhood.
In July, a Muslim member of the movement, Walid Eido, was among at least 10 people killed in an explosion in Beirut's Manara neighbourhood.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the explosion?
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the explosion?
