Blair Leads British Politicians in Condemning Lebanon Christian Leader Killing

Prime Minister Tony Blair has strongly condemned the assassination of one of Lebanon's leading Christians, who was shot dead in Beirut, Tuesday 21 November.

|PIC1|Blair said, "We condemn this murder utterly. It is completely without any justification at all."

The murder of Pierre Gemayel comes as a deep political crisis grips the region following the resignation of six pro-Syrian cabinet members.

The US has joined Britain in condemning the killing.

US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said the killing was "an act of terrorism".

The Lebanese Christian leader was shot dead as he was being driven through a Christian neighbourhood, and died soon after being rushed to hospital.

Blair said: "We need to do everything we can, particularly at this moment, to protect democracy in Lebanon and the premiership of Prime Minister Siniora.

"And it underlines once again the absolute and urgent need for a strategy for the whole of the Middle East, that supports those who favour democracy and the proper way of resolving disputes everywhere."

The death of Gemayel, a member of the Phalange Party and the son of former President Gemayel Amin, was confirmed by the son of Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister who was killed last year.

The UN recently released a report implicating Syria in Rafik Hariri's death, although Syria has denied any truth in this.

Syria has come out quickly to denounce Gemayel's assassination, calling it a "despicable crime".

UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said, "Clearly we condemn it. We are dismayed. There are enough problems in Lebanon already."

Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague also told reporters that his party "strongly condemned" the killing.

He said, "The international community must support Prime Minister Siniora's government, as it stands up to this act of intimidation and terrorism."

Liberal Democrat Michael Moore completed the chorus of Britain's core political parties in condemning the assassination, saying, "This tragic assassination will further destabilise the political situation in Lebanon."

He also added, "This tragedy has the potential to bring further crisis to an already troubled region. We urge all sides to show restraint."