Lebanese minister assassinated in attack on convoy

Reuters ^

[gondramB]

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel was assassinated near Beirut on Tuesday, security sources said.

They said gunmen opened fire as his convoy drove through the Christian Sin el-Fil neighborhood. Gemayel was rushed to hospital where he later died of his wounds.

Lebanon is in the throes of a political storm pitting the anti-Syrian ruling majority against the pro-Damascus opposition. The political tension threatens to spill into street confrontations.

[gondramB]

Apparently the speaker is a Sunni

[milwguy]

We do not need to be there, the French already have their troops on the ground as part of UNIFIL force. I am sure they will put stop to this unrest. NOT!

I am taking bets on how many days before all out civil war breaks out. Then of course, feckless Kofi Annan and the UN will blame the Israeli's for the troubles in Lebanon, not the murderous Narallah and his minions. This could actually be good for the region because it will further show the world how radical Islam has ruined another nation, a nation who was making huge strides at rebuilding after their last civil war. If the Syrians had not killed Hariri, and armed their Hezbollah allies, the country had a chance. Now with the interference from Iran, Syria and others, Lebanon will be torn apart once again.

[Mo1]

I'm thinking it's more like a message to the christians ... and jews

[gondramB]

>>We do not need to be there, the French already have their troops on the ground as part of UNIFIL force. I am sure they will put stop to this unrest. NOT!

I am taking bets on how many days before all out civil war breaks out<<

I am so sorry this guiy got killed.

I am SO relieved we don't have peace keeping troops there - the media would already be saying we need more troops and this assassination is our fault, somehow.

[gondramB]

Fox citing AP says leader of Lebanese Parliment is blakming Syria for the assasination.

[Blogger]

But Rick Warren says that Syria is peaceful.

[himno hero]

excepting before we leave make sure the only civil and democratic place ~ Israel~ is safe and secure. Maybe build some fence for them - some more partiot missle batteries....etc etc

[Alouette]

The assassination of Bashir Gemayel 25 years ago was the leading cause of the attack on Sabra and Shatilla.

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel/Russian Jewry ping list.

Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.

[b4its2late]

Looks like the Hezbos are startinging thier takeover.

[ExSoldier]

FNC reporting it was a sniper

That figures. It's tough to make a kill shot on a moving vehicular target with a spray and pray roadside ambush, set up in hasty fashion. My guess is that there was prior intell on convoy route, and the exact vehicle in which the target was riding. Possibly even info on exactly where in the vehicle the target was sitting. All that would be required would be a decent marksman and a good position to make the shot.

The fact that they used a sniper is telling. It makes it so much more personal than an IED. Indeed somebody is sending a message.

[Mo1]

Someone on FNC is saying there is panic in the streets of Lebanon

[Txsleuth]

A message to Jews and Christians??

Oh, you mean like Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas?? /s

[elhombrelibre]

Assad and the Mullahs are behind this. Civil War and chaos may follow. WE cannot continue to ignore the role Syria plays in causing instability in its neighbors as it aids and abets terrorists who kill Iraqis, Americans, Lebanese, and Israelis. Syria, SYRIA is the problem. Take Syria out of the equation and the neighboring countries can move towards self-rule. Yet Baker would have us believe Syria is to be appeased.

[Mo1]

FNC just showed video of his car

There are several bullet holes in the side window

[prairiebreeze]

ED Hill says the US State Dept is expressing "regret" that this has occured.

My, that makes us all feel better.

Brit-sounding reporterette on FoxNews audio says this could push Lebanon to the brink.

Not unless they get more ticked than they did after Hariri.

[Sender]

I just saw a pic of the target car on Fox. Half a dozen bullets entered the drivers window and dented the passenger door in a tight group. Windows busted out.

[gondramB]

Fox is saying that everyone is panicking - they are all rushing home FWIW our State department is condemning the assasination. BTW, he was the son of the former assasinated President.

[prairiebreeze]

And the American electorate has just demonstrated massive weakness to these animals.

Wonderful...

[richardtavor]

Don't you mean Damascus?

[Mo1]

didn't Syria do a contract assassination a year or two ago??