Beirut: Lebanese Christian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel, an outspoken critic of Syria, was assassinated near Beirut on Tuesday.
The killing sent Lebanon plummeting deeper into a crisis over ties with its dominant neighbour.
At least three gunmen rammed their car into Gemayel's vehicle, then leapt out and riddled it with bullets, firing at Gemayel with silencer-equipped automatic weapons at point-blank range in the Christian Sin Al Fil neighbourhood, witnesses said.
Gemayel, 34, was rushed to hospital where he later died of his wounds. Hundreds of angry and weeping family members and supporters gathered at the hospital.
Gemayel's father urged supporters to remain calm and avoid retribution.
"I have one wish, that tonight be a night of prayer to contemplate the meaning of this martyrdom and how to protect this country," former President Ameen Gemayel told reporters.
"I call on all those who appreciate Pierre's martyrdom to preserve his cause and for all of us to remain at the service of Lebanon. We don't want reactions and revenge," he said.
The UAE has strongly condemned Gemayel's assassination. Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, in a statement, expressed his deep sorrow and shock at the killing.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has warned of "sedition" against the country and called for unity in wake of the slaying.
