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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
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| Lebanese MP killed in car bombing | Lebanese MP killed in car bombing |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| 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. |
| Tensions are definitely high, and I would say there is a mix of determination by the Lebanese, both Christian and Muslim alike, not to be intimidated by acts of violence Theodore Mangrove, Beirut Send us your views | |
| "This criminal act targeted the attempts and efforts made by Syria and others to achieve Lebanese national understanding," said a statement published by state news agency Sana after Mr Ghanim's death. | "This criminal act targeted the attempts and efforts made by Syria and others to achieve Lebanese national understanding," said a statement published by state news agency Sana after Mr Ghanim's death. |
| The attack has also been criticised by the US, the UK, the EU, France and Italy. | The attack has also been criticised by the US, the UK, the EU, France and Italy. |
| The White House said it fitted a pattern of assassinations and attempted assassinations in Lebanon. | The White House said it 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? |