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.

[TampaDude]

"It is the same story in each and every country on every continent where the "Religion of Peace" has embedded itself."

Yup...it should be obvious to any rational person that radical Islam is a threat to our civilization. You want change? Kill all the mullahs.

[NYer]

He also knew he was in no danger from any sort of a security detail, so he could concentrate on the task.

Direct hit to the head, as evidenced in this photo.

---

Mr. Gemayel was a powerful political symbol of the Christian community in Lebanon. In the 1950's, his grandfather, also named Pierre, founded the Phalange Party, for decades the dominant Christian political group in the country; its militia eventually became a major part of the Lebanese Forces. He died in the 1980's.

Mr. Gemayel's uncle, Bashir, was a Christian militia leader who was elected president but was assassinated before he could assume office; his brother Amin, Mr. Gemayel's father, was chosen to serve as president in his place.

[exnavy]

The Mid east is gonna blow.

[milwguy]

Think Mecca should be first on the list. Tell the Islamists that if they do not get their sh!t together, Mecca will be gone permanently. Only thing they may understand is that we mean business and aren't in the mood to pussyfoot around anymore.

[Diddle E. Squat]

"We have achieved a Purpose Driven Peace in Our Times!"

"No worries, Obama will know what to do..."

[ExSoldier]

The other pic I saw was of the opposite side of the vehicle. Was there a shooter on BOTH sides of the car? Or did the shots go thru and shatter out the passenger's window on exit? Plausible since they might have been larger in diameter having expanded already. Two shooters? Naaah too much chance of errant crossfire hitting the other guy.

[ConservativeMind]

But hold it here. Rick Warren said that area was void of any Syrian-based opposition or concern.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1741878/posts

[BigFinn]

Behold, the new Syrian satellite. Next? The Golan Heights.

[livius]

This is an incident that may be up there with the assassination of the Grand Duke Ferdinand. I hope not, but it sure has all the earmarks.

[txrangerette]

His father is Amin Gemayel, former President of Lebanon. He is alive, and was shown on tv, reporter saying the father called for calm and not revenge for son's murder. The relative who was assassinated 25 years ago was his uncle, Bashir. See post #82

[NYer]

Here's a closeup of the driver's side.

[txrangerette]

Harriri, I believe his name was. I think he was PM at the time, not sure. The UN has been investigating the incident. (cough)

[HAL9000]

I'm shocked that Gemayel would be traveling in that vehicle, which offers virtually no protection - especially after what happened to Hariri.

[txrangerette]

Nephew of Bashir Gemayel, who was assassinated 25 yrs. ago, son of former President Amin Gemayel, who is alive and called for calm after the killing, not revenge.

[linda_22003]

I believe he was the nephew of that president, Bashir Gemayel; if I have read correctly, his father is Amin Gemayel (also a president, but not assassinated).

[ex-Texan]

I believe Iran and Syria are fomenting a civil war in Lebanon. One of my neighbors is Lebanese. All her relatives either live near Beirut or are living here. Some of her relatives are desperate to get out before the civil war gets hot. Read More Reports Here

[ExSoldier]

Okay (thanks for the closeup pic) I count no fewer than 12 separate holes aside from the one big ragged one. They seem to be pretty big for an entrance hole. Perhaps a .45. But if it was a 45 then it was a high cap 45 and that makes it....an interesting array of possibilities.

Is there any definitive statements as to whether this was a handgun or maybe a small machine pistol like a Skorpion? Maybe a micro Uzi? Neither of which is chambered in the 45. I was thinking it reminded me of a shotgun slug (the big hole) followed by a bucksot pattern.

[Biscuit85]

not good

[LachlanMinnesota]

No that the election in the US is over, and the libs won, they feel it is safe to have the Hezzies take over, since the US will no longer support Israel when they try to defend themselves.

[mewzilla]

Ferret Face has got to go.