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Anger at new Lebanon MP killing Anger at new Lebanon MP killing
(about 9 hours 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.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.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.
name="upagain"> LEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS Feb 2005: Ex-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 GemayelJune 2007: Anti-Syria MP Walid EidoSep 2007: Anti-Syria MP Antoine Ghanim
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'
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.
'Silencing freedom'
Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad 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.
ANTOINE GHANIM Anti-Syrian member of Lebanese parliament64-year-old lawyerMember of Lebanon's Maronite Christian Phalange partyElected deputy in 2000Re-elected in 2005ANTOINE 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. The killing was "a clear message to silence to voices of freedom and independence", he told the AFP news agency.
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, said 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 news agency.
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 was killed whenever there were 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. Mr Bush denounced what he described as attempts by Syria and Lebanon to destabilise Lebanon.
"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. "I strongly condemn today's horrific assassination of Lebanese member of parliament Antoine Ghanim," he was quoted as saying by AFP, adding it was part of a "tragic pattern" of attacks.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the explosion?Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the explosion?
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