Prominent Lebanese Politician Assassinated

Anti-Syrian Christian Leader Pierre Gemayel Gunned Down Near Beirut

(CBS/AP)  Prominent anti-Syrian Christian politician Pierre Gemayel was assassinated in a suburb of Beirut on Tuesday, increasing tensions in Lebanon amid a showdown between opponents and allies of Damascus that threatens to topple the U.S.-backed government.

Gemayel, the industry minister, was the fifth anti-Syrian figure to be killed in the past two years and the first member of the government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora to be slain.

Saniora went on national television to call for unity and warned that "sedition" was being planned against Lebanon. He linked the slaying to the issue that sparked the crisis with Hezbollah: plans to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri before an international court.

"I pledge to you that your blood will not go in vain," Saniora said, eulogizing Gemayel. "We will not let the murderers control the fate of Lebanon and the future of its children."

The assassination, in an afternoon shooting in Gemayel's mainly Christian constituency of Jdeideh, threatens further instability in Lebanon at a time when Hezbollah and other parties allied with Syria are planning a massive wave of street protests unless Saniora reforms his government to give them more power.

President Bush denounced Tuesday's assassination of a Lebanese leader as "the vicious face of those who oppose freedom" and said that Syria and Iran are trying to undermine the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.

"We support the Saniora government and its democracy, and we support the Lebanese people's desire to live in peace," Mr. Bush said after having breakfast with U.S. troops stationed in Hawaii. "And we support their efforts to defend their democracy against attempts by Syria, Iran and allies to foment instability and violence in that important country."

Mr. Bush is voicing concerns that this latest political killing will undermine Lebanon's already shaky government, CBS Radio News correspondent Peter Maer reports. And the president is already trying to rally support for Saniora's government.

Mr. Bush did not specifically blame Iran or Syria for the shooting death of Pierre Gemayel, one of the country's most prominent Christians, but he urged a full investigation to identify "those people and those forces" behind the killing.

In New York, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John R. Bolton, raised the possibility of Syrian involvement in the slaying of Gemayel.

Referring also to an investigation into Hariri's assassination, Bolton told reporters: "I think people can draw their own conclusions."

Syria condemned the assassination. "This despicable crime aims to destroy stability and peace in Lebanon," the state news agency said, affirming Syria's keenness on Lebanon's stability, security and unity.

Damascus' opponents in Lebanon have accused Syria of being behind previous assassinations, particularly that of Hariri, who was killed in a massive explosion in downtown Beirut in February 2005. Syria has denied any role.

Gemayel was driving in his car in Jdeideh when another vehicle rammed him from behind, then a gunmen stepped out of the vehicle and shot him at point-blank range. Footage from the scene showed Gemayel's car, the driver's-side window dotted by nearly a dozen bulletholes, and the second car behind it with a crumpled hood.

Gemayel was rushed to a nearby hospital seriously wounded, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corp. and Voice of Lebanon, the radio station run by his Phalange Party, reported.

The party radio later said he was dead, as did the National News Agency.

Saad Hariri, leader of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority, broke off a televised news conference after hearing that Gemayel had been shot.

In an interview with CNN later, Hariri hailed Gemayel as "a friend, a brother to all of us" and appeared to break down after saying: "we will bring justice to all those who killed him."

Hariri implicitly blamed Syria for the assassination, saying, "We believe the hand of Syria is all over the place."

Gemayel was the scion of one of Lebanon's most prominent political families and had been expected to carry it into the next generation. His father, current Phalange leader Amin Gemayel, served as Lebanon's president between 1982 and 1988 and his grandfather, the late Pierre Gemayel, led the right-wing Christian Phalanage Party that fielded the largest Christian militia and was allied with Israel during the 1975-90 civil war between Christians and Muslims.

Amin Gemayel's brother, Bashir, was elected president in 1982 but was assassinated days before he was to take office in an explosion.

The slain Pierre Gemayel was a prominent figure in Lebanon's anti-Syrian bloc, which dominates Saniora's Cabinet and the parliament — and which is now locked in a power struggle with the Muslim Shiite Hezbollah and its allies.

On Sunday, Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah threatened a wave of street protests aimed at bringing down the government if it ignores the group's demand to form a national unity Cabinet, in which Hezbollah and its allies would have considerable influence and would be able to block major decisions.

Nasrallah accused Saniora's government of falling under the influence of the President Bush's administration and called it "illegitimate" and "unconstitutional."

Gemayel's assassination was the first since Gibran Tueni, prominent anti-Syrian newspaper editor and lawmaker, was killed in a car bomb in December. In June 2005, the journalist and activist Samir Kassir and former Communist Party leader George Hawi were killed in separate car bombings in June last year.

[gaye5]

kailo6, there was no need to be nasty about my remark, which you have obviously taken the wrong way, I was praising the lad who I feel shows a good brain on him, what on earth is wrong with giving him the praise that I felt he deserved. And as I said,
"we in the west just want peace and that no system is perfect, then I explained how that was... then I tried to let the young man know why people are scared, so as he could understand some of the reaction of people. It was a very easy letter to read kailo6 and was meant one of encouragement and helping him to understand. I am sorry that you took offence at my note and sure hope that Lebanon22 didnt as no offence was meant..

[bushrocks1]

Would I send my son to this war? You might ask would I send him to WW II? Or Vietnam? Maybe you would distinguish those conflicts and whether you would send your son to fight in them. But that question is misdirected in a very important way: I can't command my son to go to war. He has to make that choice. So the better question would be: would I volunteer to fight in Iraq, WW II, Vietnam? Would I volunteer to fight in any war? Respond if drafted? I don%u2019t know. I'm not equivocating, only addressing that it is a hypothetical. As a hypothetical, I can say, sure I'd fight. But I have nightmares of battle (from my past life as a Jacobite). So how do I feel toward those who do volunteer? Impressed and maturely knowing that many things go into their decision. But I do strongly believe that a country who can't find those men is doomed. The fact that we can find them is one reason why I say there is no failure in Iraq. Objectively, I also believe it for other reasons. An attempt to establish democracy in the Middle East is a bold, brilliant, noble effort, facing a high chance of failure. That's why I greatly respect and admire those who have made the attempt--the Bush administration. They have been resolute, something I have not seen in my lifetime. They may not succeed, for reasons outside their control or fault: traitors on the home front, being a big one. But now those traitors have apparently occupied the high ground. Yet... we're still in Iraq. Why?... I'm waiting.

[krotec54]

I see Hezbolla taking over Lebanon, assasinating it's president, rallying the Arab States to make a final strike on Israel while hidding behind the Lebanese, and daring Israel to strike back again.
Syria needs Lebanon and the Golan Heights.

[alphaa10-2009]

Two possibilities with the Gemayel assassination--

1. The assassins have Syrian controllers, who are at odds with other Syrian factions, all fighting for Assad's attention. By reigniting the conflict in Lebanon between pro- and anti-Syrian groups, they hope to re-engage Syria in Lebanon. The condolences from Syria mean exactly nothing, except a reminder to anti-Syrian Lebanese of the Syrian plot against Rafik Hariri.

2. The assassins are a rogue, home-grown group sympathetic to Syria, in hopes its incendiary act leads Syria to re-enter the fray and intimidate the opposition.

Whatever the case, Bush and company did not help America's profile in Lebanon, in the least. In the annals of the Truly Astonishing, after Rice visited Lebanon and distributed warm fuzzies all around about Democracy, she proceeded to make monotonal "Give War a Chance" declarations while Israeli jets bombed Beirut neighborhoods. Perhaps Rice was simply unaware a group of American air freighters loaded with an urgent shipment of cluster bombs was headed for Israel, to be dropped in the very Lebanese neighborhoods she visited.

What is even more astonishing, however, is the concrete-for-brains attitude of whomever killed Gemayel. If they wanted American attentions, they could not have done more than renew their attacks in Lebanon. What they do not understand is Bush may be a political lame duck, but Americans are solidly behind Lebanese democracy-- and without the interference of Syria, thank you.

[lola12314a]

I have to agree with blondmadison. For the most part, the corrupt rich protect the interest of the rich, and I don't care what country you are in, they don't care about humanity. If I wanted to rule and become more rich and powerful, I would need most of the people to follow religious dogma, whether it be Christian, or Muslim. There is no room for free thinking, and questions, and you are just obliged to blindly follow. Most people are dying in the name of God or Allah, while the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, or dead. Do you think the rulers at be care? I don't. They get what they want. And it will only change when we use reason instead of relgious dogma, and are free thinking, and speak up, and bring down pressure. I do support our troops, because we are free to speak these things, I'm saying, because we won't get killed for it, and I don't want another attack. We see what Moslem leaders are doing. I just question the motives of our own leaders. I am greatful for our troops and others there to fight to protect our freedoms. I just wish we would use reason to bring down pressure on our own leaders here at home to be more humane. There are too many things that are not Reason. We can try to speak up to bring changes now.

[alphaa10-2009]

Lebanon22-11 said, "I read the comments,and I'm hurt cuz I'm Lebanese and I am a muslim,and I'm proud. I am 13 years old and I'm french educated and I'm really doing my best in the English class cuz since I was little,I've always wanted to come 2 the U.S and study, but u broke my dream, cuz I have no harm for the american people, ..."
---

Please accept my apology, and am sorry your feelings were hurt. You may wonder about America, but remember all Americans are not all the same-- just as all Lebanese or French or Syrians are not. So, please consider this possibility-- it may not be accurate to generalize about Americans, simply because one or two are not careful with their own reasoning and words. It also helps to remember, all of us on this blog do not agree with them, by any means. For that matter, you have only to read what they say on this blog about their own countrymen who disagree with them.

[alphaa10-2009]

Hello to Lebanon22-11-- 2
For better but not worse, this is what makes America so interesting to people all over the world-- someone in the United States is much like them, believes much as they do, and hopes to have a happy, peaceful life here. Most important, they expect a happy, peaceful life, even if the neighbors do not believe the same thing. You also may be surprised to learn Islam is one of the fastest growing religious groups in the United States, and most Muslims are very good people. I live near several, and one of them reminded me God is most pleased with prayers of simple gratitude.

So, in the same spirit, let me offer you something will help your feelings the next time anyone says hurtful things. Gandhi counseled a fellow Hindu to follow the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" and pray for them. God is pleased with that, surely.

[alphaa10-2009]

Hello to Lebanon22-11-- 3
Finally, imagine the situation in reverse-- an American student your age were to come to Lebanon, and this American student did not "look" Lebanese (if that might be possible), and suppose further that a group of young Lebanese happened to see him and presumed he was Jewish and threw rocks at him for what Israel did to their country. Would it be fair for him to say, "I hate all Lebanese, because now I know all Lebanese will throw rocks at me?"

I hope you visit this blog many times, because CBS is a great American news network with strong journalistic traditions, and enjoys a wide audience of Americans-- even Americans who are sometimes rude to those who disagree with them. I am glad you want to come to America-- perhaps one day, you may decide to live here, say, as a journalist for your country. Wouldn't that be an adventure? Just remember, deep down, most Americans believe in democracy, in fairness and want the world to live in peace-- even if that means loving their neighbors as themselves.

[alphaa10-2009]

J.whitman said, (a lot of things)
---

Yes, all points well taken. In fact, some of the PC-GOP could have an argument with themselves. However, in line with the caveat about generalizations, they also would have to deal with those GOP members calling themselves true conservatives, among them the Buckleys, and John McCain (whose Heritage Foundation rating is higher than many GOP, including Bush).

Further, many, if not most, of the "liberal" side of the liberal-conservative spectrum have points of disagreement. If I am pro-life, for example, and/or have traditional Orthodox beliefs, that may not match what Hillary believes. So, one of the hardest things for outsiders to understand about this country is its diversity. Labels do not suffice for most intelligent and searching conversations with Americans.

The important thing for all of us is to subscribe to the rule of law for settling our differences, and working lawfully together, peacefully, instead of declaring a civil war. We once had a civil war, you know-- our most costly war in every respect.

[j-whitman]

AND RADICAL REPUBLICANS AGAINST THE WORLD

[j-whitman]

ACTUALLY,, IT'S RADICAL CHRISTIANITY AGAINST MUSLEMS

[j-whitman]

Alphaa,, Here's another generalization for you,,, WE ARE ALL LIBERALS

[j-whitman]

Alphaa,, How about this for a generalization,, 32-34% of Americans support Bush policies,, Most of Europe, Bush 41's Arab coalition says Bush 43's policies are wrong and endangering the region, the Far-East doesn't support his policies, Bush 43 Sandbags democrats with 470 Billion in unfinished spending bills including Veterans funding & school lunches,, Bush 43 aslo takes 7 Billion a month away from our military's modernization.

[alphaa10-2009]

PC Hamiltongrad said, "ATTENTION PC LIBS:YOU CAN GENERALIZE-- Concerning generalizations, why not(?). You can not make any sensible judgment unless you can observe, and come to a conclusion... why not make other ethnic statements that follow emperical observations... Our Univeristies are teaching us to be stupid."
---

In your Philippic against generalization, you neglected to admit that your generalization about universities demonstrates the very thing you condemned-- ie. if Bush graduated from Yale, and Yale is a university, Yale made Bush stupid.

Bush, of course, early demonstrated his own limitations without heavy dependence on whatever he learned from Yale (Bush was president of his Yale-based "Animal House"-style fraternity, known for anything but scholarly focus), so Yale is off the hook. And I really do not expect to hear a roar of assent from you to this model of your proposition.

But having shown, if nothing else, the difficulty of truthful generalization, it is also clear all reasonable parties must agree a proposition fairly and truthfully represents the subject, and if they do not, that is why we discuss anything, after all, in pursuit of truth.

[antoniof123]

Did anyone except anything less than this to happen. With all this fighting going on it is a wonder that anyone would want to have children in this world. Oh well I guess that my time is getting up in years because now I really am starting to act like a Grandfather. Well, I saw it a long time ago it just goes to show you. We were left to work with from our parents was less than a straight line and now were are just like them.

[j-whitman]

Kailo,,, Janem Cut & Ran

[kailo6]

janem, I think the problem is that the Bush administration represents very, very big business, which has broken so many laws and done such really shocking things that it's easy to become paranoid. These people seem to have so few ethics that it's hard to tell where they would stop. Based on their domestic policies alone: repeal time and a half for over time, suppress raising the minimum wage, reduce benefits for veterans, relax safety standards for miners, increase arsenic in public drinking water, etc., etc., etc., it's clear they do not care about other human beings. This is not to even touch their horrible foreign "policies."

What I'm trying to say is, these folks will do absolutely anything to further their interests. They were around long before Bush was president, and he has been raised as one of them. Therefore, when someone is assassinated abroad and it just works out great for what Bush et al are trying to accomplish, many of us are starting to wonder if these folks were behind it. That doesn't mean they were. It has more to do with the levels to which we are worried they will stoop.

[j-whitman]

janem ,, The United States has been envolved in many covert as well as overt operations pitting rebel groups, dissidents, political organizations in other countries for decades... Once more our President refuses to present any evidence of what he consistantly dangerously accuses nations of doing.... THIS IS BAD FOR NATIONAL SECURITY & A NO-BRAINER

[j-whitman]

janem -- When only 32 to 34% of Americans agree with this administration's policies, Bush 41's coalition says Bush 43's policies are upsetting the Middle-East & endangering the region, & countries therougout the Far-East are against Bush 43's policies,,, Don't you think you should analyze your thinking ???

[sunshine_2]

Posted by Lebanon22-11 at 01:48 PM : Nov 21, 2006
"I read the comments,and I'm hurt cuz I'm Lebanese and I am a muslim,and I'm proud.I am 13 years old and I'm french educated and I'm really doing my best in the English class cuz since I was little,I've always wanted to come 2 the U.S and study,but u broke my dream,cuz I have no harm for the american people, ..."

As An American I am sorry that the World reads only the Foul Mouthed Bigots some few Amercians have here.
Believe me when I say All of America does not live in such fear of "other peoples' adn dont think of all Muslims or Middel East Nations as "Saddam or Osam Bin Ladem".
Mush ignnorance still seen here, adn some people think Free Press, means thye can Spread Their Message of Bigotryadn Hate, Like the Terrorist do. I it is sad, that America has become so "devided", by racial and religious bigots.