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Lebanese to rally for MP's burial Lebanese to rally at MP's funeral
(about 4 hours later)
Senior Lebanese politicians are expected to attend the funeral of the anti-Syrian MP, Antoine Ghanim, who was assassinated on Wednesday.Senior Lebanese politicians are expected to attend the funeral of the anti-Syrian MP, Antoine Ghanim, who was assassinated on Wednesday.
The government says Mr Ghanim's killers will not be allowed to succeed in their aims, and forthcoming presidential elections will go ahead on time. The government has vowed to press ahead with presidential elections to choose a successor to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud next week.
The assassination of a number of anti-Syrian figures has reduced the pro-Western majority in parliament.The assassination of a number of anti-Syrian figures has reduced the pro-Western majority in parliament.
Syria has been blamed for the killings, but denies any involvement.Syria has been blamed for the killings, but denies any involvement.
The funeral procession for Mr Ghanim and two of his guards who were killed with him is to head for the Furn el-Shebak district in mainly Christian east Beirut where he had his constituency and then to Sacre Coeur church in nearby Badara. The funeral procession for Mr Ghanim and two of his guards who were killed with him is to head for the Furn el-Shebak district, in mainly Christian east Beirut where he had his constituency, and then to Sacre Coeur church in nearby Badara.
Banks, schools and government offices have been closed in Lebanon, as the country mourns Mr Ghanim, of the Christian Maronite Phalange party.Banks, schools and government offices have been closed in Lebanon, as the country mourns Mr Ghanim, of the Christian Maronite Phalange party.
The education ministry said schools and universities would remain closed again on Friday.The education ministry said schools and universities would remain closed again on Friday.
Mr Ghanim died with at least six others in a car bombing in the mainly Christian Sin al-Fil district on Wednesday.Mr Ghanim died with at least six others in a car bombing in the mainly Christian Sin al-Fil district on Wednesday.
Determined governmentDetermined government
Lebanon's pro-Western government says it is determined to hold a presidential election, despite the assassination.Lebanon's pro-Western government says it is determined to hold a presidential election, despite the assassination.
But the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the situation is very uncertain and the government may find procedural difficulties in convening the required number of MPs for a presidential vote.
LEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS Feb 2005: Ex-PM Rafik HaririApril 2005: MP Bassel FleihanJune 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 GhanimLEBANESE ASSASSINATIONS Feb 2005: Ex-PM Rafik HaririApril 2005: MP Bassel FleihanJune 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
MPs are due to choose a successor to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud next week.MPs are due to choose a successor to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud next week.
The killings of several anti-Syrian figures have left Lebanon's government with only a slim majority, 68 out of 127 MPs. The killings of several anti-Syrian figures have left the government with only a slim majority, 68 out of 127 MPs.
Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said the killers of Mr Ghanim would not be allowed to succeed in their aims.Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said the killers of Mr Ghanim would not be allowed to succeed in their aims.
Mr Siniora said on Thursday: "The hand of terror will not win and will not succeed in subduing us and silencing us.Mr Siniora said on Thursday: "The hand of terror will not win and will not succeed in subduing us and silencing us.
"The Lebanese will not retreat and will have a new president elected by lawmakers, no matter how big the conspiracy was.""The Lebanese will not retreat and will have a new president elected by lawmakers, no matter how big the conspiracy was."
He has 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 next week's vote.He has 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 next week's vote.
Syria accusedSyria accused
The country has been mired in an ongoing political crisis, with a deadlock between pro- and anti-Syrian factions in parliament.The country has been mired in an ongoing political crisis, with a deadlock between pro- and anti-Syrian factions in parliament.
From 1975 until the early 1990s Lebanon suffered a bloody civil war in which regional powers - particularly Israel, Syria and the Palestine Liberation Organisation - used the country as a battlefield for their own conflicts.
Syrian troops moved in shortly after the war started and though they helped end the civil war in 1990 and maintain peace, they stayed on long after the conflict ended and Damascus effectively became the political master of its tiny neighbour.
Parliament will attempt to elect a successor to Emile LahoudParliament will attempt to elect a successor to Emile Lahoud
Syria said it had no involvement in the attack, calling it a "criminal act" that undermined hopes for Lebanese national reconciliation. Although Syria withdrew its troops in 2005, ending a 29-year military presence, it still exerts considerable political clout in Lebanon.
The term of current president, pro-Syrian Mr Lahoud, was extended to 2007, worsening pro- and anti-Syrian divisions, which were exacerbated in February 2005 by the killing of Rafik Hariri.
Syria has denied any involvement in the killing of Mr Hariri and in this latest attack, which it called a "criminal act" that undermined hopes for Lebanese national reconciliation.
But some Lebanese politicians were quick to blame Damascus for the blast.But some Lebanese politicians were quick to blame Damascus for the blast.
Saad Hariri, son of Rafik Hariri, a former prime minister who was assassinated in a bomb attack in 2005, said responsibility lay with the "cowardly regime" of Syria.Saad Hariri, son of Rafik Hariri, a former prime minister who was assassinated in a bomb attack in 2005, said responsibility lay with the "cowardly regime" of Syria.
Even pro-Syrian Mr Lahoud said it was no coincidence someone was killed whenever there were positive developments in Lebanon.Even pro-Syrian Mr Lahoud said it was no coincidence someone was killed whenever there were positive developments in Lebanon.