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Anger at new Lebanon MP killing | Anger at new Lebanon MP killing |
(about 1 hour later) | |
World leaders and Lebanese politicians have condemned the bomb attack that killed an anti-Syrian Lebanese MP in a mainly Christian suburb of Beirut. | |
Antoine Ghanim, of the Maronite Phalange party, died with at least six others in the Sin al-Fil district. | Antoine Ghanim, of the Maronite Phalange party, died with at least six others in the Sin al-Fil district. |
US President George W Bush said the killing was "horrific", while a host of Lebanese politicians blamed Syria for the bomb. | |
Lebanon is poised to choose a successor to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud. | Lebanon is poised to choose a successor to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud. |
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 | 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 |
But the country has been mired in an ongoing political crisis, with a deadlock between pro- and anti-Syrian factions in parliament. | But the country has been mired in an ongoing political crisis, with a deadlock between pro- and anti-Syrian factions in parliament. |
Syria denied any involvement with Wednesday's attack, issuing a statement calling it a "criminal act", adding that it undermined hopes for Lebanese national reconciliation. | Syria denied any involvement with Wednesday's attack, issuing a statement calling it a "criminal act", adding that it undermined hopes for Lebanese national reconciliation. |
'Silencing freedom' | 'Silencing freedom' |
In Lebanon, many politicians described the attack against Mr Ghanim as a direct attack on the process of choosing a new president. | In Lebanon, many politicians described the attack against Mr Ghanim as a direct attack on the process of choosing a new president. |
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 |
Mr Siniora called for a UN investigation into the assassination of Mr Ghanim, who had returned to Beirut just a few days before his death to take part in the vote. | Mr Siniora called for a UN investigation into the assassination of Mr Ghanim, who had returned to Beirut just a few days before his death to take part in the vote. |
He told the AFP news agency the killing was "a clear message to silence to voices of freedom and independence". | He told the AFP news agency the killing was "a clear message to silence to voices of freedom and independence". |
Other Lebanese politicians were quick to blame Damascus. | Other Lebanese politicians were quick to blame Damascus. |
Saad Hariri, son of Rafik Hariri, a former prime minister who was killed in a bomb in 2005, insisted responsibility lay with Syria. | Saad Hariri, son of Rafik Hariri, a former prime minister who was killed in a bomb in 2005, insisted responsibility lay with Syria. |
"I have never seen a more cowardly regime than that of [Syrian President] Bashar Assad's," he told the Associated Press. | "I have never seen a more cowardly regime than that of [Syrian President] Bashar Assad's," he told the Associated Press. |
Even Mr Lahoud, a pro-Syrian figure, suggested the killing was linked to the upcoming election, saying it was no coincidence someone is killed whenever there are positive developments in Lebanon. | Even Mr Lahoud, a pro-Syrian figure, suggested the killing was linked to the upcoming election, saying it was no coincidence someone is killed whenever there are positive developments in Lebanon. |
The latest attack has also been criticised by the US, the UK, the EU, France and Italy. | The latest attack has also been criticised by the US, the UK, the EU, France and Italy. |
Mr Bush denounced what he described as attempts by Syria and Lebanon to destabilise Lebanon, AFP news agency reported. | |
"I strongly condemn today's horrific assassination of Lebanese member of parliament Antoine Ghanim," he was quoted as saying, adding that it was part of a "tragic pattern" of attacks. | |
Political deadlock | Political deadlock |
The bombing was the latest attack on leading figures in Lebanon's anti-Syrian movement, with five others killed since Rafik Hariri's assassination in 2005. | The bombing was the latest attack on leading figures in Lebanon's anti-Syrian movement, with five others killed since Rafik Hariri's assassination in 2005. |
Pierre Gemayel, son of the Phalange leader Amin Gemayel, was shot dead by gunmen in November 2006. | Pierre Gemayel, son of the Phalange leader Amin Gemayel, was shot dead by gunmen in November 2006. |
In July 2007 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 2007 a Muslim member of the movement, Walid Eido, was among at least 10 people killed in an explosion in Beirut's Manara neighbourhood. |
Syria has denied any involvement in any of the killings. | Syria has denied any involvement in any of the killings. |
The large car bomb exploded late on Wednesday afternoon near the al-Hayik roundabout in Sin el-Fil. | The large car bomb exploded late on Wednesday afternoon near the al-Hayik roundabout in Sin el-Fil. |
Local television stations soon broadcast pictures of rescuers dragging charred bodies from the scene of the blast, with others seriously injured. | Local television stations soon broadcast pictures of rescuers dragging charred bodies from the scene of the blast, with others seriously injured. |
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. |
He 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. | He 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 MPs are scheduled to meet to elect the new president - a post reserved for a Maronite Christian under Lebanon's political system. | It also comes less than a week before MPs are scheduled to meet to elect the new president - a post reserved for a Maronite Christian under Lebanon's political system. |
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. |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the explosion? | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the explosion? |