Lebanon Mourns Murdered Minister Gemayel, Prepares For Burial

NASDAQ ^ | November

[NYer]

BEIRUT (AP)--With Independence Day celebrations canceled, Lebanon was engulfed in fear and gloom Wednesday as it prepared to bury Cabinet minister and Christian leader Pierre Gemayel, following his assassination on Tuesday.

Schools and shops were closed and traffic was light as Gemayel's coffin, draped in the flag of his Phalange Party, was driven to the family's home in Bikfaya for mourning ceremonies before the funeral scheduled for Thursday. A small crowd of mourners, some carrying Lebanese flags, walked slowly behind the vehicle carrying the coffin.

Gemayel, minister of industry and scion of a prominent political family, was killed Tuesday when two cars blocked his vehicle at an intersection in the suburbs of Beirut and an assassin shot him numerous times through a side window of his car.

His killing - the fifth murder of an anti-Syrian figure in Lebanon in two years - immediately drew condemnation from all quarters.

The U.S. condemned the slaying as an act of terrorism. President George W. Bush accused Syria and Iran of seeking to undermine the government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, though he stopped short of blaming them for the 34-year- old Gemayel's slaying. Syria too condemned the assassination and denied any role in it.

Washington sees Lebanon as a key front in its attempts to isolate Syria and Iran, and following the assassination, Bush underlined his support for "the Saniora government and its democracy, and we support the Lebanese people's desire to live in peace."

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud went on national television late Tuesday to announce that Wednesday's Independence Day celebrations had been canceled.

[NYer]

The coffin of assassinated Christian politician Pierre Gemayel, draped in the flag of his Phalange party, is carried towards the family home in Bikfaya, Lebanon, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006.

The mother Joyce Gemayel, left, father Amin Gemayel, center, and wife Patricia Gemayel, right, walk behind the coffin of assassinated Christian politician Pierre Gemayel as it is carried to the family home in Bikfaya, Lebanon Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006. Lebanon was engulfed in fear and gloom Wednesday as mourners came to the mountain town to pay last respects to Pierre Gemayel, whose assassination threatened to push the country's political crisis over the brink. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

[NYer]

Please remember the Gemayel family in your prayers.

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[SJackson]

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[Nihil Obstat]

God help the middle east Christians

[CottShop]

They might better prepare for war instead! Ga'head Lebanon, keep harbouring terrorists, it's doen wonders for your image world wide. http://sacredscoop.com

[ex-Texan]

Thousands Mourn Slain Cabinet Minister Pierre Gemayel

A very sad day for Lebanon. Iran and Syria are to blame. Hexbollah must face severe retribution. More Reports and Photos Here

[La Enchiladita]

Very sad.

[rmlew]

24 years ago President-elect Bashir Gemayel was assasinated by a Syrian agent, when thei Kateb Partry HQ was bombed. Amin became president. Now Amin buries his son.

I just hope that there are no more double agents like Elia Hobeka.

[NYer]

24 years ago President-elect Bashir Gemayel was assasinated by a Syrian agent, when thei Kateb Partry HQ was bombed. Amin became president. Now Amin buries his son.

These are truly the worst of times. Tomorrow I plan to follow, report and post all aspects of Pierre Gemayel's funeral. I can't stress this enough. PLEASE remember this family and ALL the Lebanese Maronite Catholics in your prayers tomorrow, on the day we celebrate Thanksgiving. What you are now witnessing in Lebanon will soon arrive on the shores of the US. In order for freedom loving Lebanese to survive, they now need the full support of the international community. Unless these forces opposed to freedom are reigned in, the Maronite Catholics and other Lebanese christians will continue to be persecuted and driven from their homeland. PLEASE include them in your prayers!

[M. Espinola]

The Assad clan has been murdering key members of the Christian Gemayel family for the last 30 something years. Western leaders are well aware who is behind these brutal assassinations but remains mute allowing the evil in Damascus to continuing provoking a major Mid-East war with their cohorts in Tehran.

Nicole Gemayel, sister of prominent anti-Syrian Christian politician Pierre Gemayel, center, sits and mourns with other friends and relatives at her brothers coffin draped in the flag of his Phalange Party, at his family home in Bikfaya, Lebanon, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006. Lebanon was engulfed in fear and gloom Wednesday as mourners came to the mountain town to pay last respects to Pierre Gemayel, whose assassination threatened to push the country's political crisis over the brink. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

[Patrick_k]

One positive event at the funeral of Gemayel: Antiochan Orthodox Bishop of Beirut reads the Gospel to the side of Maronite Catholic Patriach Sfeir in St. George cathedral.

[McGavin999]

I just saw several pictures of this young man. He was beautiful and full of life and joy. What a terrible shame.

[NYer]

One positive event at the funeral of Gemayel: Antiochan Orthodox Bishop of Beirut reads the Gospel to the side of Maronite Catholic Patriach Sfeir in St. George cathedral.

With the Holy Father's impending visit to Turkey and Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I, this is indeed a very positive event.

Priests chanted prayers as the coffin was carried down the aisle to traditional applause from the congregation. Many Lebanese accuse Syria of involvement in Mr Gemayel's death, but Damascus rejects the claims. Earlier, huge crowds gathered in Mr Gemayel's village, as the 34-year-old's coffin was borne from Bikfaya to Beirut. His father, former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel, was among the mourners. The family of the assassinated industry minister followed the coffin during his funeral procession. Pierre Gemayel is the fifth anti-Syrian Lebanese politician to be killed in two years, and his murder has intensified an acute political crisis.

[mware]

I just saw film footage. They had photos of some of the syrian supporting cabinate ministers. They did an astounding thing, They threw the posters on the ground and walked over them (an extream sign of disrespect)

[mware]

Fox News is saying 800,000 turned out in the streets.

[NYer]

Thanks for that update! Sorry I missed it.

[NYer]

Fox News is saying 800,000 turned out in the streets.

Reuters - Thu Nov 23, 9:08 AM ET Lebanese mourners wave flags in Martyrs square during the funeral of assassinated Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel in Beirut November 23, 2006. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON)

[M. Espinola]

Pray for the entire Gemayel family and the Christians of Lebanon. Victory over the Assad clan!

Former Lebanese president Amin Gemayel -- the father of assassinated Lebanese minister Pierre Gemayel -- salutes the crowd as he is flanked by Samir Geagea (L) and Saad Hariri.(AFP/Ramzi Haidar)

Lebanese mourners mourn during Pierre Gemayel's funeral procession in Bikfaya. Beirut was a sea of red and white flags as Lebanon turned out in a show of force for the funeral of the anti-Syrian minister, whose murder threatens to plunge the country deeper into political turmoil.(AFP/Joseph Barrak)

A Lebanese child lights a candle at a vigil, held at the site where Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel was assassinated (by Syrian agents).(AFP/Hassan Ammar).

Lebanon leaders lash out at Syria after funeral

[NYer]

Thank you for the photos.

L'abdokh anin baynot kineh, bar aloho
bmalkut rawmo dlo mechtaryo 'am qadichayk

Give rest Son of God
in your kingdom on high
with the saints and the just
to the faithful departed.
Syriac hymn